Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Bowman was shot and killed while he and another deputy responded to a disturbance at the entrance to the Macon County Fairgrounds.
As they attempted to arrest a man involved in the disturbance, the man's brother approached and shot Deputy Bowman in the chest and side. He then shot Deputy Bowman in the head after he fell to the ground. The other deputy exchanged shots with the man and was also wounded before he was able to shoot the subject.
The man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. On November 27, 1913, the suspect, a 21-year-old ex-convict, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was overturned, and he was released from prison.
Deputy Bowman was survived by his wife and six children.
Survivors
Deputy Bowman was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-008A3565- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bowman served with the Macon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette 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 John 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Macon County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Bowman's cause is highlighted.
How John Bowman Compares
Offender Outcome
Death sentence overturned
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Bowman is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Bowman was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Macon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
