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Incident
Deputy David Dobbins succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when the posse he was riding in was ambushed as they were en route to the home of four brothers to arrest them for robbing the local depot and a gun store in Latonia. Deputy Dobbins sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the throat. The county sheriff was also wounded two times but recovered.
The 20-year-old killer was apprehended a few days later in Maridian, Mississippi. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On January 9, 1916, his sentence was commuted to life. On June 11, 1918, he escaped from the Tennessee Penitentiary. On April 17, 1919, he sneaked back to his mothers home in Fayette County and soon found himself surrounded by the sheriff and his posse. He was shot and killed as he attempted to escape.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Dobbins served with the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Somerville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dobbins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fayette County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 1915, 1 officer at Fayette County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1915, 8 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 38. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Fayette County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 56; the middle age was 46.
David was 38. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
David was 38. 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.
David was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 20% of these deaths at Fayette County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 20%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Fayette County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Fayette County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Fayette County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
