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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Dodson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on a liquor law warrant near the Mississippi - Tennessee line.
Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Dodson was able to return fire and killed the subject.
Deputy Dodson was taken to a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he succumbed to his wounds four days later.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Dodson served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Dodson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1936, 1 officer at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 3.
In 1936, 1 officer in MS was killed feloniously, the 70th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 4 killed feloniously at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.8 and 41; the middle age was 38.
Robert was 36. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41.
Robert was 36. 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.
Robert was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 42.9%. Wednesdays: 57.1%.
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MS, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 16.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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William C. Cooper May 18, 1898
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Henry R. Campbell May 18, 1898
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Carter I. Jones May 18, 1898
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William P. Harris
Nov 25, 1912
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Robert E. Dodson
Dec 16, 1936
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Larry Cox
Jun 26, 1970
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Larkin V. Pettit Mar 8, 1981
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Gregory Floyd Medlin
Nov 2, 2003
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Paul A. LeBlanc, Jr.
Dec 7, 2007
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William K. Nichols
Jul 22, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
