Robert L. Dorn
Agency patch
Lieutenant

Robert L. Dorn

Felonious
End of Watch August 31, 1965
Age 49
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 100 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Lieutenant Robert Dorn was shot and killed by a stranded motorist he had stopped to help on 91st Avenue just north of Glendale Avenue. The man had been visited recently by deputies inquiring about his delinquent taxes. Believing that he was about to lose his trailer home, the man jumped out of his truck and began firing without warning, killing Lieutenant Dorn. Despite being mortally wounded, Lieutenant Dorn was able to return and wounded the man. The subject was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental institution. He was later released. Lieutenant Dorn had served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, and brother.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Lieutenant Dorn gave the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Dorn.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ
Platform Identity mcso.maricopa.az.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 31, 1965
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1965, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 49. 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. Robert had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

VI

Where

Lieutenant Robert L. Dorn

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office · End of Watch August 31, 1965

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W

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