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John Arthur Lawson
Agency patch
Patrolman

John Arthur Lawson

Louisville Police Department — Louisville, KY
Cardiac
United States flag Kentucky flag
End of Watch October 4, 1950
Age 41
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 192 · Column 1 · Line 4 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 90

Incident

Patrolman John Lawson suffered a fatal heart attack two hours struggling with a prisoner inside the police headquarters facility in the basement of the city hall.

The prisoner had been arrested for being drunk in public and disorderly a short time earlier at a tavern at 306 E. Market Street when he interfered as Patrolman Lawson attempted to question a woman. As Patrolman Lawson booked the man, a struggle ensued in which Patrolman Lawson was struck in the chest.

He complained about chest pain and was taken to a local hospital where he died two hours later. The man was charged with assault, drunk in public, and disorderly conduct. The suspect pled guilty to assault and battery, fined $90, and sentenced to 30 days.

Patrolman Lawson had served with the Louisville Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, and sister.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Lawson gave the Louisville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lawson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Louisville Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
Platform Identity lpd.jefferson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 4, 1950
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 41
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac
Cause Detail Heart attack
Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

John is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1950, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 41. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Louisville Police Department has 91 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman John Arthur Lawson

Louisville Police Department · End of Watch October 4, 1950

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W

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