15 of The Walking Dead’s most vile villains ranked

8. Officer Dawn Lerner (and Officer Gorman)

Who is she: We still have residual feelings about the Grady Memorial Hospital days. It was an apprehensive time in The Walking Dead fandom, and rightfully so. Beyond Beth and Carol’s lives being at risk during the hospital-themed episodes and Noah’s then-unsteady characterization, there was a lot to worry about. Officers Lerner and Gorman didn’t ease any of our worries. Even in the current fictional landscape of cults and walker imposters, Dawn and Gorman are some of the best characterizations of the absolute worst depths of humanity, in the apocalypse or otherwise. Gorman sexually and physically assaulted captive patients. Dawn allowed it to happen. Plus, Dawn routinely ordered the doctor and nurses to kill anyone who was too weak or didn’t comply with her set of rules. She tried and succeeded, for a while, in using her authority to wield Stockholm syndrome as a weapon in the apocalypse.

Worst act of villainy: For Dawn, it was killing Beth right before she was officially reunited with the group of protagonists and her sister, Maggie. As for Gorman, it’s the creepy moments where he abused his power in the prison posed as a hospital to implicitly sexually assault Beth. (But thankfully, Beth had the upper hand in that case.)

Weakness: Dawn was a good leader at some ambiguous point before Beth and Carol arrived at the hospital, but the apocalypse and the isolation from humanity outside the hospital made her corrupt with power.

Redeeming qualities: Although Dawn and Gorman’s arc ended in their ultimate demise, it wasn’t before Beth got some revenge on them both. However, the tragedy more importantly led to Noah’s integration into the group.

First appearance: “Slabtown” (season 5, episode 4)

Last appearance: For Gorman, “Slabtown” (season 5, episode 4); for Dawn, “Coda” (season 5, episode 8)

Death: Dawn — shot by Daryl after she shot and killed Beth. Gorman — eaten by Joan, who had freshly turned into a walker.