Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Frank Bowman was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men for being drunk in public. Deputy Bowman had told the men to walk down the railroad tracks and leave the area.
One of the men then turned around and, with his hand in his pocket, approached Deputy Bowman. As Deputy Bowman reached for the man's hand the man opened fire. The two men started struggling and fell to the ground. Deputy Bowman stood and returned fire as the man ran away, but collapsed and died from his wounds.
The suspect was arrested, convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled January 4, 1940. On August 25, 1947, he was found dead from a shotgun blast in the back on a road near Pineville.
Deputy Bowman was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Bowman was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-2AEF678F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bowman served with the Bell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bowman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Frank Bowman 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bell County Sheriff's Department, 24 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 92.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Bowman's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Bowman Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1940
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Bowman is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Bowman was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
25 officers from Bell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
