James A. Schowers

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch September 23, 1941

Age 40

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Badge 16845

The Vigil Panel 78 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Schowers was killed when he fell 15 feet during a struggle with two suspects. Patrolman Schowers was assigned to plain cloths duty when he observed two suspicious men following a woman into a building at 2032 5th Avenue, Manhattan. Patrolman Schowers entered the building and climbed the stairs, where he confronted the two men. A struggle ensued and Patrolman Schowers was pushed over the railing of the stairs. He fell 15 feet to the ground and was killed instantly. Two suspects, merchant seaman ages 32 and 34, were arrested and charged with murder. They said they thought Patrolman Schowers was going to rob them and because he was in plain cloths they did not know he was a police officer. A grand jury refused to indict and they were released. Patrolman Schowers was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his actions. Patrolman Schowers was a full blooded Sioux Indian, known as Chief Many Rains. He was the first full blooded American Indian to serve with the New York City Police Department and is the only American Indian police officer to die in the line of duty in New York City. He was a direct descendant of the famous Chief Sitting Bull. Patrolman Schowers served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years and was survived by his wife. He was assigned to the 28th Precinct.

Survivors

Patrolman Schowers served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years and was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-E3A0E42F
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Schowers gave the New York City Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Schowers.

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

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 23, 1941

Tour of Duty 14 yrs

Age 40

Badge Number 16845

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Person

Offender Released

Patrolman James A. Schowers 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious