Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Thomas Bowles died as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage, which he suffered after being assaulted four days earlier.
He was attempting to arrest a man for DUI when the man resisted and struck Corporal Bowles in the head. Despite his injuries, Corporal Bowles was able to place the man under arrest and started driving to the jail.
During the drive, Corporal Bowles began experiencing chest and head pains. He radioed for medical assistance and backup. He was transported to a local hospital, where he lapsed into a coma. Corporal Bowles remained in a coma until his death four days later.
Corporal Bowles had served with the Athens Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-DF54A0A2- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Corporal Bowles gave the Athens Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Athens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Bowles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Thomas Earl Bowles 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Athens Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Thomas Earl Bowles's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Earl Bowles Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Earl Bowles is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Earl Bowles was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Athens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
