Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer George Dotson and Officer G. A. Jackson were shot and killed while on foot patrol near the town square. They encountered a group of five suspicious men near South First Street and Flower Street. A gun battle ensued when the suspects opened fire on the officers with sawed-off shotguns. Both officers were mortally wounded. The five suspects were eventually apprehended but none were convicted of the murders. On July 9, 1939, one of the suspects was convicted of first degree murder of a man at a beer parlor in Columbia and sentenced to 28 years in prison. Officer Dotson had served with the Pulaski Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-68DF6140- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Dotson gave the Pulaski Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pulaski community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Dotson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer George W. Dotson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pulaski Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George W. Dotson's cause is highlighted.
How George W. Dotson Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George W. Dotson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George W. Dotson was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Pulaski Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
