Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal John Bowman was assassinated by a suspect who fired a shotgun through the front window of Marshal Bowman’s residence near Cross Street. He was shot as an act of revenge for his tough stance against drinking and gambling. The murder took place in front of his wife and four children. The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. Two hours before his execution the Florida governor issued a stay of execution. The man escaped from prison in 1913 and was never recaptured. Marshal Bowman had served with the Punta Gorda Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-201F8CA3- 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.
Marshal Bowman gave the Punta Gorda Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Punta Gorda community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Bowman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal John Harry Bowman 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Punta Gorda Police Department, 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. John Harry Bowman's cause is highlighted.
How John Harry Bowman Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Harry Bowman is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Harry Bowman was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Punta Gorda Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
