Roll of Honor

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Marshal

Robert William Dawson

Washtucna Police Department — Washtucna, WA

Felonious

End of Watch August 12, 1940

Age 44

The Vigil Panel 77 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Marshal Robert Dawson succumbed to injuries received 12 days earlier when he was assaulted while attempting to arrest several drunk men near the Potlatch Yards in Washtunca. One of the men struck him, knocking him down and causing a paralytic stroke.

Survivors

Marshal Dawson was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WA-14C5C6BD
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.
Marshal Dawson served with the Washtucna Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Washtucna community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Dawson.

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

Agency

Department Washtucna Police Department

Location Washtucna, WA

Platform Identity wpd.adams.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 12, 1940

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Offender Not available

Marshal Robert William Dawson 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Washtucna Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Washtucna Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert William Dawson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Robert William Dawson Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert William Dawson is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert William Dawson was killed by person.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Washtucna Police Department are honored on badge.nw.