Hartsville Department of Public Safety, South Carolina
End of Watch: Monday, April 20, 1953
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 19, 1953
Weapon Used: Shotgun
Suspect Info: Arrested
Patrolman Dobson succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night after responding to a call from a woman who was being beaten by her husband.
When Patrolman Dobson arrived at the scene the husband ran into the backyard and hid. Patrolman Dobson also ran into the backyard in pursuit and was shot by the man with a shotgun as he came in between the two houses. Patrolman Dobson was transported to Byerly Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. The suspect turned himself in two days after the shooting.
Patrolman Dobson had served with the Hartsville Department of Public Safety for 2 years. He was the first African-American officer to serve with the agency.