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John W. Rowan
Incident
Chief of Detectives John Rowan was shot and killed after he and other officers attempted to arrest several members of the notorious Lewis-Jones Gang. He had learned that the gang was headed towards the city and was informed they were at a local gas station. As the officers arrived, they were engaged in a shootout, and Chief of Detectives Rowan was shot in the head. It is thought that the same men were responsible for the murder of Denver, Colorado, Policeman Luther McMahill the following day, although the identities of Policeman McMahill's killers were never confirmed. Several of the suspects were arrested. Two others were shot and killed in Los Angeles County, California, following a shootout in which Deputy George Van Vliet of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was shot and killed. Chief Rowan had served with the Colorado Springs Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-KC3Q-X9WC-4earlier record number BO-US-CO-6C5E82CF- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Detectives Rowan gave the Colorado Springs Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Rowan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado Springs Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
John is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
John is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 1 officer at Colorado Springs Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2006, with 2.
In 1918, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1918, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1918, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 44. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Colorado Springs Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 33; the middle age was 32. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
John was 44. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 44. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 44. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12.5% of these deaths at Colorado Springs Police Department; December holds the most, 25%. Fridays: 12.5%.
September holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Fridays: 13.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Colorado Springs Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Colorado Springs Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Benjamin F. Bish
Jun 28, 1896
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John W. Rowan
Sep 13, 1918
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George Kaltenberger
Jun 12, 1941
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Richard Stanley Burchfield
Nov 26, 1953
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Bernard Livingston Carter
May 14, 1975
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Dennis John Ives
Aug 7, 1975
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Harry Lee Allen
Dec 22, 1975
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Augustus J. Perreira, Jr.
Apr 12, 1980
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Mark Layne Dabling
Dec 6, 1982
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Jared Scott Jensen
Feb 22, 2006
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Kenneth Chua Jordan
Dec 5, 2006
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Matthew Robert Tyner
Jul 24, 2012
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Thomas Moberly Jun 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Colorado Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
