Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John J. Flowers was shot and killed as he and his partner patrolled an Alabama Great Southern rail yard in the early morning hours looking for trespassers. Officer Flowers discovered two men in a rail car and ordered them out. When the men did not comply, Officer Flowers struck a match so that he could see them in the darkness. As soon as he did so, one of the men in the car drew a pistol and fired twice, striking Officer Flowers in the heart and killing him instantly.
Officer Flower's partner ran to his assistance, but both suspects managed to escape. Two men later captured turned out to be the wrong men. The suspects were never identified.
Officer Flowers had served with the Bessemer Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and step-daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-F5A70232- 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.
Police Officer Flowers gave the Bessemer Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Flowers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John J. Flowers 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bessemer Police Dept., 10 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Flowers's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Flowers Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Flowers is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Flowers was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
