James Neal Bowers
Police Officer

James Neal Bowers

Columbus Police Department — Columbus, GA
Felonious
End of Watch April 4, 1979
Age 32
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 121 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer James Bowers was shot and killed after when he responded to a robbery-in-progress at Majik Market, a local convenience store at 2936 N. Lumpkin Road in Columbus, GA. The shooter and an accomplice were sentenced to life in prison. The incident occurred minutes before the end of his last shift with the department. He had recently taken the Bar Exam but had not yet received the results, which arrived with a passing score after his death. He was posthumously recognized during the law school graduation ceremony. Officer Bowers had served with the Columbus Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and five-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-263934F9
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. 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.
Police Officer Bowers gave the Columbus Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bowers.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Columbus, Muscogee County, GA
Platform Identity cpd.muscogee.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 4, 1979
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 32
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Police Officer James Neal Bowers is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.

In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At Columbus Police Department, 19 of 26 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.1% of this agency's fallen.

Columbus Police Department
19
of 26 officers
73.1% Felonious
GA — Statewide
548
of 903 officers
60.7% Felonious
Nationwide
17,559
of 32,587 officers
53.9% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Neal Bowers's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,559 (53.9%)
Accident
10,095 (31%)
Illness
3,037 (9.3%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
334 (1%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)

How James Neal Bowers Compares

Age at End of Watch
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Neal Bowers is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Neal Bowers was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location