Sergeant Charles F. Dotson

Sergeant Charles F. Dotson

Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana

End of Watch Sunday, January 24, 2021

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Charles F. Dotson

Sergeant Charles Dotson died of complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Sergeant Dotson was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Gulf War. He had served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for 22 years and had previously served with the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife, son, nephew, and father.


The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 58
  • Tour 22 years
  • Badge 191
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Wednesday, December 23, 2020

communicable disease, COVID-19

Most Recent Reflection

View all 5 Reflections

Sgt. Dotson,
On today, the 1st 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 the USMC-especially during the 1991 Gulf War and OIF. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO; former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 24, 2022

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