Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff W. Calvin Dotson was shot and killed as he and two Princeton police officers surprised three men who had just burglarized a jewelry store on Mercer Street in downtown Princeton. Deputy Dotson had just gotten off duty and was being driven home by the officers when they were notified of the burglary. They located the three suspects several blocks away and became engaged in a shootout. Deputy Dotson was fatally wounded. All three men, including two who were brothers, were taken into custody after two of them were wounded. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The other two subjects were convicted of burglary and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The oldest brother was paroled on May 2, 1956. Three months later, he murdered his wife and was returned to prison for life. Deputy Dotson had served as a jailer with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-261CD27E- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Dotson gave the Mercer County Sheriff's Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Princeton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dotson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Calvin 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mercer County Sheriff's 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Calvin Dotson's cause is highlighted.
How William Calvin Dotson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Calvin Dotson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Calvin Dotson was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mercer County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
