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Incident
Dispatcher Douglas Dodson was killed in a helicopter crash shortly after takeoff.
He was acting as observer for Patrolman Humberto Avila of the Mission Police Department. Patrolman Avila was also killed in the crash that occurred at Harlingen Airport.
It was later determined that the cause of the crash was due to the use of the wrong type of bolts.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Dispatcher Dodson served with the Harlingen Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Harlingen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Dispatcher Dodson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Douglas is the only officer of Harlingen Police Department remembered here.
Douglas is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Douglas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 11 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Douglas was 20. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Douglas had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Douglas was 20. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Douglas had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Douglas was 20. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Douglas had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.7% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Harlingen Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Harlingen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.