Deputy Sheriff William Calvin Dotson

William Calvin Dotson

Deputy Sheriff W. Calvin Dotson was shot and killed as he and two Princeton police officers surprised three men who had just burglarized a jewelry store on Mercer Street in downtown Princeton.

Deputy Dotson had just gotten off duty and was being driven home by the officers when they were notified of the burglary. They located the three suspects several blocks away and became engaged in a shootout. Deputy Dotson was fatally wounded.

All three men, including two who were brothers, were taken into custody after two of them were wounded.

The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The other two subjects were convicted of burglary and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The oldest brother was paroled on May 2, 1956. Three months later, he murdered his wife and was returned to prison for life.

Deputy Dotson had served as a jailer with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office for six years. He was survived by his wife and three children.