Incident
Patrolman Mark Dabling was shot and killed while making a traffic stop. Unbeknownst to him, the violator was an escaped prisoner from Florida. The man exited the vehicle through the passenger side door and opened fire on Patrolman Dabling with a .44 caliber sawed-off rifle. The suspect fled the scene but was later arrested on I-25 south of the city. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole in 2044. However, he was convicted of murder and first-degree robbery in Kentucky and will also have to serve that sentence. Patrolman Dabling had served with the Colorado Springs Police Department for 5 1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, father, brother, and sister.
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.
Patrolman Dabling gave the Colorado Springs Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dabling.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado Springs Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Mark is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark 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 1982, 1 officer at Colorado Springs Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2006, with 2.
In 1982, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mark was 30. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Colorado Springs Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 33; the middle age was 32. Mark had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Mark was 30. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Mark had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Mark was 30. 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. Mark had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mark had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 25% of these deaths at Colorado Springs Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 14.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Colorado Springs Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Colorado Springs Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
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Benjamin F. Bish
Jun 28, 1896
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John W. Rowan
Sep 13, 1918
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George Kaltenberger
Jun 12, 1941
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Richard Stanley Burchfield
Nov 26, 1953
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Bernard Livingston Carter
May 14, 1975
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Dennis John Ives
Aug 7, 1975
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Harry Lee Allen
Dec 22, 1975
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Augustus Joseph Perreira Jr.
Apr 12, 1980
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Mark Layne Dabling
Dec 6, 1982
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Jared Scott Jensen
Feb 22, 2006
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Kenneth Chua Jordan
Dec 5, 2006
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Matthew Robert Tyner
Jul 24, 2012
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Thomas Charles Moberly Jun 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Colorado Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.










