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Incident
Sheriff Fred Dawes was shot and killed by a suspect he had just arrested for stealing bags of feed from a grain company. Sheriff Dawes was approached by the grain company owner who had had several sacks of feed stolen. The owner had discovered three sacks of feed sitting in front of the building. Sheriff Dawes and the owner waited for the suspected thief to return. When a man appeared at about 2200 hours, they took him into custody and took him to the grain company office. Sheriff Dawes turned his back on the suspect to put some keys from the suspect's pocket on a table. As Sheriff Dawes turned back, the suspect shot him in the heart with a .32-caliber revolver. The suspect then engaged in a running gun battle with two officers. The suspect was shot four times and died several hours later of his injuries. Sheriff Dawes had been employed with the Vernon County Sheriff's Department for 2 1/2 years and was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son. He is buried in Newton Burial Park, Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri.
Survivors
Sheriff Dawes had been employed with the Vernon County Sheriff's Department for 2 1/2 years and was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son.
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.
Sheriff Dawes gave the Vernon County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dawes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vernon County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Fred is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1919, 15 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fred was 44. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Fred had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 44. 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. Fred had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.3% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Vernon County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.1% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Vernon County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vernon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
