John B. Lawson

Galveston Police Department — Galveston, TX

Felonious

End of Watch June 3, 1919

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 18

Incident

Officer Lawson was shot and killed on his second day of duty by a disgruntled former officer. Officer Lawson had been hired to replace this former officer, who had just been fired by the chief. Upon hearing that Officer Lawson had been hired, the former officer searched for him and shot him several times when he was located.

The suspect was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 25 years. He died in prison March 8, 1924.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-9D5BC9F4
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Lawson served with the Galveston Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Galveston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Lawson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Galveston Police Department

Location Galveston, TX

Platform Identity gpd.galveston.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 3, 1919

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Died in prison

Police Officer John B. Lawson 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Galveston Police Department, 10 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 52.6% of this agency's fallen.

Galveston Police Department

of 19 officers

52.6% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious