Kenneth Robert Howorth
Explosives Officer

Kenneth Robert Howorth

Metropolitan Police — London, ENG
Felonious
End of Watch October 26, 1981
Age 49
The Vigil Panel 194 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Killed instantly when, during a terrorist bombing campaign of mainland U.K., a suspected explosive device in the basement toilet of a restaurant in Oxford Street, detonated as he attempted to defuse it. Posthumously awarded the George Medal for Gallantry.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-GB-MEP-ABCDC245
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 8, 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.
Explosives Officer Howorth served with the Metropolitan Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Explosives Officer Howorth.

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

Agency

Department Metropolitan Police
Location London, ENG
Platform Identity mpd.wsm.eng.gb.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 26, 1981
Age 49
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Homicide - Bomb

Explosives Officer Kenneth Robert Howorth 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 ENG, 702 of 2,827 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 29.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Metropolitan Police, 185 of 729 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25.4% of this agency's fallen.

Metropolitan Police
185
of 729 officers
25.4% Felonious
ENG — Statewide
702
of 2,827 officers
24.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth Robert Howorth's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Kenneth Robert Howorth Compares

Age at End of Watch
49
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Robert Howorth is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518