Patrolman Gary F. Dockery

Gary F. Dockery

Patrolman Gary Dockery succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained eight years earlier when he was shot on September 7th, 1988. Officer Dockery had responded to a false 911 call by a drunken man who intended to shoot the responding officer.

Officer Dockery had been in a coma for eight years before suddenly waking on February 11th, 1996. Although he was paralyzed, he was able to talk and communicate with his family. He was awaiting physical therapy when he succumbed to his injuries on April 15th, 1997.

The suspect was convicted of shooting Officer Dockery and sent to prison. He was denied parole in September 2001 and died while still incarcerated in May 2006.

Officer Dockery had served with the Walden Police Department for 10 years at the time of the shooting. He was survived by his wife and two sons.