Incident
Killed when his private motorcycle struck a roadside horse trough while travelling from Chapeltown to an 'Operation Container' duty at Otley.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Constable Cowman served with the West Yorkshire Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Constable Cowman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
West Yorkshire Police has lost 16 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 1,335 officers lost to accidents in ENG, 47.9% of the 2,786 remembered there.
John is one of 1,673 officers lost to accidents in United Kingdom, 44.1% of the 3,791 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1992, 1 officer at West Yorkshire Police was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 2.
In 1992, 10 officers in ENG were lost to accidents, the 42nd heaviest of 193 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 35.
In 1992, 13 officers in United Kingdom were lost to accidents, the 37th heaviest of 194 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 40.
In 1992, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 32. Of the 9 lost to accidents at West Yorkshire Police whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 43; the middle age was 41.
John was 32. Of the 1,310 lost to accidents in ENG whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 32. Of the 1,612 lost to accidents in United Kingdom whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 32. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
May holds 11.1% of these deaths at West Yorkshire Police; October holds the most, 22.2%. Tuesdays: 11.1%.
May holds 7.3% of these deaths in ENG; January holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in United Kingdom; November holds the most, 9.9%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 56.3% of all 16 deaths at West Yorkshire Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 47.9% of all 2,786 deaths in ENG, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 44.1% of all 3,791 deaths in United Kingdom, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
West Yorkshire Police has 16 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Alfred Patrick Looby Aug 16, 1984
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John Richard Speed
Oct 31, 1984
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David Andrew Sykes Jul 28, 1986
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David Leitch Feb 5, 1990
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Terence Irving
Dec 18, 1991
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John David Cowman May 12, 1992
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Andrew Winterburn
Sep 3, 2003
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Ian Nigel Broadhurst
Dec 26, 2003
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Sharon Beshenivsky
Nov 18, 2005
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Conal Daood Hills
Nov 19, 2006
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Ian David Walker
Oct 10, 2007
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David Alan Heptinstall Jun 30, 2008
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Perviz Ahmed
Jul 31, 2011
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Mark Goodlad
Oct 24, 2011
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Tony Sweeney
Dec 27, 2012
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Jack Cummings
May 19, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from West Yorkshire Police are honored on badge.nw.










