Incident
Deputy Sheriff Craig Dodge was shot and killed while speaking with a man at a domestic dispute call at 421 Main Street in Hickman He had been sent to the residence on an initial report that a husband had assaulted the wife and then left. While en route another call was received that the husband had returned and threatened a neighbor with a gun and two additional units were dispatched but were approximately 20 minutes behind Deputy Dodge. On his arrival, Deputy Dodge spoke with the witness who told him the man had a revolver and that the wife and two young children were still in the apartment. Deputy Dodge could hear the woman pleading with the man. Fearing for their safety, and knowing his backup was some time away, he decided to try to stall the man until his backup arrived. The man came to door holding his wife in front of him with an unseen revolver stuck to her back. As the men conversed for several minutes the subject suddenly raised the handgun and shot Deputy Dodge in the face. The man fled the scene and discarded the weapon in a nearby creek before being arrested. He was convicted of first-degree murder and using a weapon to commit a felony. He was sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Dodge was survived by his wife, two sons, two stepsons, parents, brother, and two sisters. He had served with the agency for two years and been with other agencies for at least three years prior.
Survivors
Deputy Dodge was survived by his wife, two sons, two stepsons, parents, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dodge gave the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lincoln community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dodge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Craig is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
Craig is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Craig is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Craig was 42. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Craig had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Craig was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Craig had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Craig was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Craig had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Saturdays: 17.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Craig among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lancaster County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

