Prev
Incident
Reserve Officer Chris Lawton was killed after being intentionally struck by a vehicle as he attempted to serve a narcotics-related felony warrant.
He and another officer had spotted the wanted subject inside a U-Haul truck parked at the Walmart on Plank Road, in Baker, Louisiana. After observing the subject for several minutes the officers parked their patrol car behind the truck and began to approach it on foot. The subject saw them walking alongside the truck and started to drive away, pinning Officer Lawton between the truck and a shopping cart corral.
Officer Lawton's partner was able to broadcast a description of the vehicle, which was located approximately 20 minutes later. The driver was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, hit and run, and being a fugitive from justice. A second occupant of the vehicle was charged with obstruction of justice.
Officer Lawton served as a part-time, unpaid reserve officer with Zachary Police Department for 10 years and also served as a full-time firefighter with the Zachary Fire Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq7njfvwkrmyj15tx82j- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Christopher. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Reserve Officer Lawton gave the Zachary Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Zachary community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Officer Lawton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Christopher is the only officer of Zachary Police Department remembered here.
Christopher is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher 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 2018, 1 officer in LA was killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 41. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Christopher had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Christopher was 41. 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. Christopher had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.7% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 12.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Zachary Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile; commercial, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; commercial, in 0.3% 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 automobile; commercial, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; commercial, in 0% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Zachary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.