Richard Louis Dotson

Richard Louis Dotson, 77, passed away on January 3, 2018, twelve days shy of his birthday, with his wife, Wendy, at his side. He was the only child of Carl and Eunice Dotson. He graduated from Manual High School and the University of Louisville with a Master of Science in Community Development degree.

Richard rose through the ranks of the Louisville Police Department to become Chief in January, 1982. He remained as Chief through August 31, 1990. He then returned to the rank of Captain and retired in 2003. Richard held numerous directorships and was a vice-President of the International Chiefs of Police. However, he was particularly proud to have been elected as President of FOP Lodge #614 after he was no longer Chief-a terrific mandate by the police officers.

Richard was known during his years as Chief for the Louisville Police Department as a “cop’s cop” and a “Chief’s Chief” long before those terms became popular. His respect for the troops , as he called the officers of the LPD and then the LMPD, was tremendous. He held that respect for officers throughout his life. He would often, as Chief, appear at crime scenes, back up officers at traffic stops, direct traffic when dressed in a tuxedo on his way to an event, and created safe passage to a horse galloping down Taylorsville Road who had tossed its rider at a Derby Event.

During the mass shooting at Standard Gravure, one of the first in the U.S., Richard responded to the scene and enacted procedures on the spot that are still used to this day. It is said that he “wrote the book” when officers are trained for these unfortunate situations. Richard took an officer with him into Standard Gravure to find the shooter and did find the shooter just after he committed suicide.

Richard was not impressed by who you were but would hold you in great esteem if your word was good. He was fair but tough as Chief. Still, he would say, he was just a cop. The Louisville Police Department, and Louisville, during his tenure as Chief, shined brightly… locally and internationally. He loved all of Louisville… the West End to the East End and, of course, the South End (where he grew up).

There are numerous stories to tell as is common among all police officers, but it should be noted that along with being an officer, his family was the light of his life. He leaves his wife Wendy, sons Joseph Dotson (Michelle), Ken Dotson, John Paul Dotson (Tina) all of Louisville, Jennifer Ruben (Herman) of Nashville, TN, and Susan Frockt (Bobby Clifton) of Louisville, grandchildren Meredith and Grant Dotson, Ellie and Henry Ruben, and Nikki and Megan Dotson. Loulou dog, his faithful companion, misses him greatly. His wife Wendy will miss his “supervision” while she tried to catch fish in Florida.

A funeral service will be held at the Southern Home of Arch L. Heady & Son, 3601 Taylor Boulevard at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, with burial to follow at Louisville Memorial Gardens West, 4400 Memorial Gardens Drive (Dixie Highway). Visitation will be Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 11:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M. and Monday, January 8, 2018 from 2:00 P.M. -7:00 P.M.

Pall bearers will be Matt Montfort, Ron Fey, Dene Ashcraft, Butch Winstel, Danny Glidewell, Herman Ruben, Bobby Clifton, and Jeff Jones.

Thanks must go to Dr. D.M. Chesnutt, Dr. Peter Wayne, Dr. Matthew Jung, Dr. Robert Cannon and his team, staff at 3 East Jewish Hospital, Transplant Center at Jewish Hospital, Fresenius Dialysis Center Staff on Westport Road, Frazier Rehab staff, Surgical Care Associates staff and numerous friends…you know who you are.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Kidney Foundation, 161 Saint Matthews Avenue Suite 3 Louisville, KY 40207, the American Diabetes Association, or FOP Lodge #614 Scholarship Fund, 6204 Price Lane, Louisville, KY 40229.