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Incident
Deputy Louis Dayton died as the result of being severely beaten while conducting an investigation into illegal liquor manufacturing behind a building. A suspect attacked and severely beat him. He was able to make it home where he died a short time later.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Dayton gave the Clay County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Spencer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dayton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clay County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Louis is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Louis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Louis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Louis was 57. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Louis had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Louis was 57. 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. Louis had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Louis was 57. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Louis had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.1% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Wednesdays: 20.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Clay County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Louis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
