Search fatalities

Dawson McCracken

Gender : Male

Age : 22

Race : Black

Date : 06/08/2025

Location : 2000 block North Willow Avenue

City : Cookeville

County : Putnam

State : Tennessee

Agency : Cookeville Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during arrest

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 06/08/2025 at approximately 10:38 p.m., officers with the Cookeville Police Department arrived at a residence on the 2000 block of North Willow Avenue to serve a domestic assault warrant on 22-year-old Dawson McCracken. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, officers encountered McCracken armed with a handgun. Negotiations were reportedly attempted for an unspecified duration. Police allege that McCracken drew his weapon and pointed it at officers. Officers then fired multiple shots, striking McCracken. He was transported to Cookeville Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation, with findings to be submitted to the District Attorney General. Family members described Dawson as a “talented young man with a big heart” who had been working to rebuild his life after challenges with mental health and legal issues. His mother stated he loved music, cooking, and making people laugh. Friends noted that he was deeply loved and believed more should have been done to avoid using lethal force. Officer names have not been disclosed, and no bodycam or dashcam footage has been released publicly. The family is demanding transparency and calling for the release of all related video and investigative records. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation and findings will be forwarded to the District Attorney General for review.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wsmv.com/2025/06/09/man-shot-killed-after-pulling-gun-officers-tn/
https://hoodline.com/2025/06/cookeville-man-fatally-shot-by-police-while-serving-domestic-assault-warrant-tbi-investigating/
https://tbinewsroom.com/2025/06/09/tbi-agents-investigating-cookeville-officer-involved-shooting/