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Incident
Patrolman Ross Flavel was killed when a bomb exploded after he responded to the scene of a robbery. A suspect had called a pharmacy owner at home stating he needed a prescription filled as an emergency. When the store owner arrived, the suspect told him he had a bomb and ordered the pharmacist to give him drugs. The pharmacist's wife called the police, and responding officers took the man into custody. As Patrolman Flavel bent down to examine an object at the scene, the item exploded and killed him. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Flavel's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Flavel was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Lewiston Police Department for one year. He was preceded in death by his wife and survived by his parents, brother, and grandfather.
In Our Keeping
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- 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. Ross is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Flavel gave the Lewiston Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Lewiston community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ross D. Flavel served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lewiston Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Ross is one of 44 officers killed feloniously in ID, 62% of the 71 remembered there.
Ross is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ross 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 1972, 1 officer in ID was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 3.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ross was 25. Of the 39 killed feloniously in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 48; the middle age was 35. Ross had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Ross was 25. 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. Ross had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ross was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ross had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 25% of these deaths in ID, more than any other month. Thursdays: 11.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Lewiston Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was explosives, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 62% of all 71 deaths in ID, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was explosives, in 2.3% 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 explosives, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was explosives, in 0.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lewiston Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Ross among them.
Military Service
Ross D. Flavel served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ross D. Flavel’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 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Lewiston Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
