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Incident
Location: North Carolina Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Arrested
Sheriff Joseph Dawson was shot and killed in Haywood County, North Carolina, while accompanying a posse in a search for illegal stills.
The posse had located a still and had arrested one person. As they headed back to Cocke County in the darkness they stopped to discuss the prisoner. They deputies were illuminated by a lantern when a shot was fired from the woods and struck Sheriff Dawson in the neck.
Two men were arrested and charged with murder.
Sheriff Dawson was murdered approximately 400 yards from where Posseman John Carver, of the United States Department of the Treasury, was slain on January 10th, 1905, while attempting an arrest.
Sheriff Dawson had served with the Cocke County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children and is buried Campbell Cemetery in Cocke County, Tennessee.
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
127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Dawson gave the Cocke County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cocke County Sheriff's Department has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1899, 1 officer at Cocke County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1899, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1899, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1899, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 31. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Cocke County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 40.5; the middle age was 34. Joseph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joseph was 31. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Joseph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 31. 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. Joseph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 14.3% of these deaths at Cocke County Sheriff's Department; December holds the most, 42.9%. Thursdays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Cocke County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Cocke County Sheriff's Department has 9 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Cocke County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
