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Incident
Sheriff Lawrence Dawson was shot and killed by a local farmer while attempting to settle a dispute between him and the Alabama Power Company. Sheriff Dawson, with three of his deputies, went to the farmer's home two miles from Selma to try to settle a dispute over the man's refusal to allow the construction of a transmission line across his property. The power line was being built between Coosa River's Lock 12 and Selma. A court granted authority for the power company to build the line across the property. The power company paid the man the court-ordered compensation, but the man returned the check and then cut down several power poles that had been erected. The farmer met the sheriff and deputies at the door and without warning opened fire, killing Sheriff Dawson. One of his deputies returned fire killing the farmer.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Dawson served with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Selma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dawson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dallas County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Lawrence is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lawrence was 56. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Lawrence was 56. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Lawrence was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Dallas County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dallas County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Lawrence among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dallas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.