In November 1981, a young woman named Kathleen Dawson was brutally murdered late one night while on her way home from her job at a local hospital. The investigation led police to believe that her husband was responsible for this horrific crime (I have spared the details), but their investigation did not provide sufficient evidence to make an arrest. That suspect subsequently moved to Florida soon after the murder and started a new life for himself...leaving investigators stymied, and this heinous crime unsolved...
A few days ago, more than 27 years after Kathleen Dawson's life was viciously extinguished, authorities arrested her former husband...yes, the investigator's suspect back in 1981 (still living in Florida) and charged him with her murder. Why...you may ask, do I bring this up...
The answer is simple, I have followed this case in the news for many years, I have read the letters Kathleen Dawson's father has written time and again to the local newspaper...on her birthday, on holidays, on the anniversary of her death, and on days when he simply wanted someone to listen to his plea and bring him the justice he has sought for a very long time. I have always kept this case in my mind, with the hope that one day Mr. Smith (Kathleen's father) would finally obtain the justice he has demanded for so long. On Wednesday morning, upon reading the morning newspaper, I was absolutely overjoyed...the headline provided that sufficient evidence had been established and the suspect had been arrested...and I knew that Mr. Smith finally was on the verge of obtaining the justice, and modicum of peace, that he has sought for 27 years.
This case presents valuable insight for criminology students, law enforcement, and society in general. As you must be expecting...I will elaborate on some of these...however, as space is limited, I will do so divergent to my typical modus operandi...and…as they say…make it brief...
Students intending to enter into any aspect of the criminal justice professions must ensure that they learn as much as absolutely possible with regard to crime scene preservation, conducting investigations, interviewing witnesses, interrogation, law, and essentially every component associated with ensuring that the victims receive the justice that they absolutely deserve and that the offenders are apprehended and prosecuted according to the letter of the law. As well, law enforcement must bear in mind that no case, no matter how "cold" or how difficult, should ever be forgotten or ignored (sometimes it takes 27 years - as this case has shown). The victim and their family deserve justice, and look specifically to you to obtain it for them...it is your absolute duty to never forget their pain or do anything less than your very best to ensure that they receive this justice...no matter how long it takes, they will never forget the tragedy that has befallen them and neither should you, as your choice of profession has deemed you their champion...live up to that honor.
In class I make certain that students understand the importance of the role they will assume, and the enormous weight they will carry upon their shoulders when they eventually earn their degree and enter their respective professions within the criminal justice system…becoming the champions of those who fall victim to crime. I will use this case as an illustration to remind students of how important it is to never give up, to remain the champion of the victim, to follow up on every lead and to have the patience and diligence to ensure that justice is attained…and to make every effort to ensure that the fathers of future victims do not suffer as Kathleen Dawson’s father has suffered. Mr. Smith has exhausted many years and penned countless poignant letters to the public and authorities...ensuring that he and Kathleen would receive justice...ensuring that this crime would never be forgotten…ensuring that there would be a resolution. To the investigators in this case…I would like to extend a hearty thank you...and a very heart felt congratulations to Mr. Smith...justice it seems, is finally near...
