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Michael Lee Farnsworth
Incident
Officer Michael Farnsworth was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a suspect connected to the armed robbery of a Chicago police officer's motel room. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder but released after only 16 years. The suspect then went on to become a guest lecturer at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. When citizens found out about this atrocity, the program he was lecturing for was suspended. Officer Farnsworth had served with the Davenport Police Department for less than one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and newborn baby.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Michael is one person.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Police Officer Farnsworth gave the Davenport Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Davenport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Farnsworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Lee Farnsworth served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Davenport Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 29. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Sundays: 10.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Davenport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Davenport Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Military Service
Michael Lee Farnsworth served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Lee Farnsworth’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Davenport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
