Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Detectives John Rowan was shot and killed after he and other officers attempted to arrest several members of the notorious Lewis-Jones Gang. He had learned that the gang was headed towards the city and was informed they were at a local gas station. As the officers arrived, they were engaged in a shootout, and Chief of Detectives Rowan was shot in the head. It is thought that the same men were responsible for the murder of Denver, Colorado, Policeman Luther McMahill the following day, although the identities of Policeman McMahill's killers were never confirmed. Several of the suspects were arrested. Two others were shot and killed in Los Angeles County, California, following a shootout in which Deputy George Van Vliet of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was shot and killed. Chief Rowan had served with the Colorado Springs Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-6C5E82CF- 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.
Chief of Detectives Rowan gave the Colorado Springs Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Rowan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Detectives John W. Rowan 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 Colorado Springs Police Dept., 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Rowan's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Rowan Compares
Offender Outcome
Several shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Rowan is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Rowan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Colorado Springs Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
