Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Michael Dowd succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained 28 years earlier when he was shot by an escaped cop-killer near the intersection of California Street and 15th Street.
The subject had escaped while was serving a prison sentence for the November 2nd, 1937, murder of Deputy Sheriff Oscar Meyer, of the Eagle County Sheriff's Office. He and three accomplices where en route to Meadlark Shopping Center when they were spotted by Detective Dowd and his partner.
The vehicle fled into an alley when the detectives attempted a traffic stop. The subject stopped and then fled on foot, with Detective Dowd in pursuit. Shots were exchanged during the pursuit and Detective Dowd was struck in the abdomen. Despite being wounded, he was able to return fire and killed the subject.
Detective Dowd's health continued to deteriorate and he eventually died as a direct result of his wounds on December 6th, 1997.
Det. Dowd, On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Denver. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol December 6th, 2022
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-A77C63B0- 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.
Detective Dowd gave the Denver Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Dowd.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Michael E. Dowd 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael E. Dowd's cause is highlighted.
How Michael E. Dowd Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael E. Dowd is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael E. Dowd was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
