Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Fowler was shot and killed while transporting a subject to jail. He had just arrested the man following a stakeout of burglary tools in Hutchinson. When the man arrived at the scene Deputy Fowler arrested him. The suspect attempted to bribe Deputy Fowler as he was being driven to jail. When Deputy Fowler refused the bribe the man produced a pistol and fired a warning shot. As Deputy Fowler reached for his own gun the man shot him. The suspect was apprehended in Ottawa, Kansas, in April of 1911. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On July 11, 1916, he was hospitalized in critical condition after he was stabbed by a fellow inmate. Many newspaper reports stating he could not live were wrong. He recovered after six weeks in the hospital. Deputy Fowler was survived by four sons. He was preceded in death by his wife.
Survivors
Deputy Fowler was survived by four sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-6F6B5194- 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 Fowler served with the Reno County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hutchinson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fowler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Simpson Fowler 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Reno 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. Thomas Simpson Fowler's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Simpson Fowler Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Simpson Fowler is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Simpson Fowler was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Reno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
