Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Downs was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a confidence man at Quay Street and Jefferson Avenue (now John B. Daly Blvd and Rainbow Blvd.) The shooting occurred after a lengthy foot chase that began on the State Reservation. The suspect shot Detective Sergeant Downs with his own weapon after a struggle. The suspect was apprehended and convicted. Detective Sergeant Downs had served with the Niagara Falls Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-935C73CC- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Downs gave the Niagara Falls Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Niagara Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Downs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant John Downs 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Niagara Falls Police Department, 3 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Downs's cause is highlighted.
How John Downs Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Downs is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Downs was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Niagara Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
