Dave Norton

Background

Dave Norton is an agent of the Federal Investigation Bureau (FIB) and one of the central supporting characters of Grand Theft Auto V. In the early 2000s he was a young agent looking to make his name. He struck a secret deal with bank robber Michael Townley: Michael would hand over information and stage his own death, and in return he would get a new identity, a pension and a quiet life in Los Santos. The arrangement helped launch Dave's career, but it tied him to Michael for good.

Events of Grand Theft Auto V

In the 2004 Prologue at Ludendorff, Dave lies in wait with a sniper rifle as the crew escapes. He aims for Trevor, but Brad Snider steps into the line of fire and is hit, while Dave fakes a shot at Michael. Trevor gets away and Brad dies of his wounds. To complete the cover story, Brad's body is buried in the grave marked for Michael. Over the following years Dave also intercepts letters Trevor sends to Brad, whom Trevor believes is in prison, and answers them in Brad's name to keep track of him.

In 2013 the Vangelico robbery attracts the attention of Dave's superior, Steve Haines, who uncovers the old deal and uses it to force Michael, Franklin and Trevor into illegal operations against the rival IAA. Dave is the one who brings Michael in, first sending him into a morgue in Dead Man Walking and then helping with the extraction of Ferdinand Kerimov in Three's Company and the hunt for a terror suspect in By the Book. He is present at the Blitz Play briefing and, together with Haines, joins the raid on the Humane Labs in Monkey Business.

After The Bureau Raid, Dave refuses to cut Michael loose and calls him to a meeting at the Kortz Center. In The Wrap Up Haines betrays them both, and Dave and Michael fight their way out of a three-sided battle with FIB, IAA and Merryweather teams, with Trevor providing cover. Dave then talks Haines out of killing Michael and Franklin, but the two agents still order Franklin to kill Trevor.

In The Third Way, Trevor suggests killing Dave as well, but Michael insists that he be spared. Dave later sends a message admitting that he wrote Brad's letters, tells Trevor to stay quiet and takes over Haines's role as television host.

Personality

Dave is a corrupt agent, but a far more reasonable one than Haines. He prefers to solve problems quietly, cares about his career and pension, and shows real concern for Michael's family. He is willing to bend the law when it suits him, yet he avoids needless violence.

Relationships

• Michael De Santa: an uneasy partnership built on a shared secret; by the end they treat each other almost as friends.
• Steve Haines: his ambitious and dangerous boss.
• Trevor Philips: the man he tried to kill in 2004 and later secretly corresponded with.
• Brad Snider: killed by Dave's bullet in Ludendorff.

Trivia

• Dave can be called by Michael at several points in the story to chat about their past.
• In ending A, Haines mentions that Dave is close to losing his job and his pension.