Roll of Honor
James M. Rowan
Incident
Location: Alaska Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Aquitted
Deputy Marshal James Rowan was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a bar in Skagway in the Pacific Northwest Territory (modern-day Alaska).
A patron at the bar felt that he had been short-changed and reported the incident to Deputy Marshal Rowan, who accompanied him back to the bar. As the two entered the bar they were immediately fired upon by the other subject. Deputy Marshal Rowan and the patron both died from their wounds.
The man who shot both men was acquitted on grounds of self defense.
Deputy Marshal Rowan had served with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son, who was born one hour prior to Deputy Marshal Rowan's murder.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-4FB758DB- 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
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Rowan gave the United States Department of Justice 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy U.S. Marshal James M. Rowan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James M. Rowan's cause is highlighted.
How James M. Rowan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. Rowan is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. Rowan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
