Police Officer Dennis Charles Doty

Police Officer Dennis Charles Doty

Riverside Police Department, California

End of Watch Thursday, May 13, 1982

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Dennis Charles Doty

Officer Dennis Doty and Officer Philip Trust were shot and killed while serving a warrant at a home. They were attempting to arrest a handicapped man who was sitting naked on a bed. As they helped him get dressed, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot both officers. The suspect had been sitting on the gun. Officer Trust was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the hand.

The round remained in the suspect's hand and was a crucial piece of evidence in the ensuing trial. The suspect, who had been paralyzed from the waist down two years earlier in a shootout with a Riverside police officer, was found guilty of their murders and sentenced to death. It is believed that the motive of the shooting was revenge over the previous shooting.

In 2005 a judge overturned the suspect's death sentence on claims by the defense that the suspect suffered from schizophrenia. He was retried and again sentenced to death January 28, 2010. On December 3, 2022, the suspect now 84 is still on death row. He is California's second oldest death row inmate. The oldest is 88.

Officer Doty was a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam and was the recipient of a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He had served with the Riverside Police Department for 10 years.

Bio

  • Age 35
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun
  • Offender Sentenced to death

revenge, warrant

Most Recent Reflection

View all 35 Reflections

Officer Doty,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 13, 2022

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