Incident
Police Officer Augustus Farmer succumbed to injuries he received when he was assaulted while attempting to arrest a man who was harassing him on June 12, 1893.
Officer Farmer had stopped at a watering hole for his horse around 6:00 p.m. in Bow near Bow Bog Road, a few miles from Hooksett village. The subject, who had been following him and had been threatening to kill him, also stopped and verbally berated him for a previous incident. When the subject swung at Officer Farmer, he attempted to arrest him, and a scuffle ensued. During the scuffle, the subject yelled for his brother, who appeared from the woods, and struck Officer Farmer on the head from behind. Once Officer Farmer was on the ground, the subject kicked his shoulders and head before fleeing the area.
A witness rendered aid to Officer Farmer but left after Officer Farmer told the witness he would be okay. When the witness returned 15 minutes later, Officer Farmer was unconscious. He was transported to his home, where Officer Farmer never regained consciousness and passed away on June 15, 1893.
The two brothers were apprehended. The subject was found guilty of aggravated assault and sentenced to three months. His brother was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and sentenced to three years.
Officer Farmer was a United States Civil War Union Army veteran and had served as a police officer in Bow for at least two months. He had previously served as the doorkeeper of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Police Officer Farmer is buried at Head Cemetery in Hooksett, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NH-2695065C- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Police Officer Farmer served with the Bow Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bow community. Thank you 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
Augustus B. Farmer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Augustus B. Farmer is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NH, 23 of 59 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39% of this state's fallen. That is 15.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Augustus B. Farmer's cause is highlighted.
How Augustus B. Farmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to three years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Augustus B. Farmer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Augustus B. Farmer was killed by blunt object.