Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson: sits in his office at the Department of Public Safety on Ross Street. Dawson has been a member of the local police force for more than 20 years. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
He mourned while students mourned and lost sleep just as worried parents did for the safety of their children.
In the wake of the Lauren Burk murder, Assistant Police Chief Tom Dawson stood like a pillar of strength as the primary spokesperson for the Auburn Police department.
Dawson, an Auburn native, has become known for his role in investigating the murder of the 18-year-old Auburn student, Lauren Burk.
But, beyond the Burk case, Dawson has always been concerned for the safety of the Auburn community. For 21 years, in fact, he’s dedicated 12- hour days to just that.
“We’re lucky to have people like Tom Dawson,” said Lt. Jerry Sparks, who has known Dawson his entire life.
“His whole life is here, and his family goes back seven generations of Auburn residents. A lot of people leave after college, but he stayed. I’m glad we have him, and the University and the city should be, too.”
Capt. Tom Stofer of the Auburn Police department has known Dawson for 16 years and said that he has the most genuine love and compassion for Auburn he has come across.
“He has a deep concern for the welfare of each and every Auburn University student. (And that) care and concern for all the citizens of Auburn is reflected in his daily performance on the job,” Stofer said.
Around the office, Dawson is known for his dedication.
“He’s one of the hardest working men I know and the most dedicated police officer,” said Sparks.
Stofer agrees.
“He is what I call a shaker and a mover; he gets the job done,” Stofer said.
“He makes it happen, that’s what I like about him. When he sets his mind to something, he sees it through.”
In his 21 years with the Auburn Police department, Dawson has worked as a detective, in patrol, administration and narcotics.
He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and was promoted to Assistant Police Chief Jan. 1.
His position involves a lot of leadership, and Dawson said he hopes people will remember him for being fair.
Stofer said he is fair especially because he leads by example.
“He’ll never ask anybody to do something that he wouldn’t do himself,” Stofer said.
Stofer said Dawson’s leadership and dedication was particularly evident in the way he handled the Burk case and the press surrounding it.
“He handled himself extremely well, and I think anybody watching him work in front of the camera and behind the scenes of that particular case would have to be very proud of him,” Stofer said.
Sparks agreed.
“He did as well as anyone would do. Those are difficult circumstances and as police officers, we have to be careful not to do damage to the prosecution,” Sparks said.
Dawson said it was a stressful situation, but that he is thankful he had the help of a great boss and a good support system.
“It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. By the grace of God you realize, that could have been my daughter or the daughter of somebody else I know,” Dawson said. “It really hits home, and you really try to make a difference when something like that happens,.”
“You don’t expect it to happen here, but it can, and that puts you on guard.”
As a result of the ordeal, Dawson said he’s even more diligent than he was before in making sure Auburn is the safest community.
“I think Auburn is safer, and I still am determined that she not die in vain,” Dawson said.
Dawson has the same dedication when it comes to family and church.
The son of a Baptist preacher, Dawson grew up spending most of his time in church and with family.
He still attends Grace Baptist Church regularly and enjoys being around his parents, his three younger sisters, his wife, Kandi, and their 14-year-old daughter, Hannah.
On the rare occasions he has time all to himself; Dawson said he enjoys watching the History Channel and the Weather Channel.
“Being a police officer is more of a calling than a career if you’re in it for the right reasons,” Dawson said.
And friends and colleagues would insist that he is.
“He has one goal in mind and that is to keep Auburn safe,” Sparks said.
Stofer said he believes Dawson’s hope is to see Auburn be the best place it can possibly be.
“Everything about him makes for a good human being,” Stofer said.
Auburn students with questions about campus safety are encouraged to e-mail Dawson at tdawson@auburnalabama.org.
April 30, 2008 - 11:58pm
Assistant Chief Dawson
He is a kind and caring individual. He will make sure Auburn is a safe place to live. He is an outstanding man and is an outstanding Assistant Chief.