Caswell S. Matthews

Topeka Police Department — Topeka, KS

Felonious

End of Watch May 5, 1912

Age 54

The Vigil Panel 26 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Patrolman Caswell Matthews was shot and killed by two suspects who had robbed the Bonner Springs marshal. Patrolman Matthews received information that the two would be arriving at the Union Pacific depot on the 6:00 am train. When he spotted the two men he attempted to question them but was met with gunfire, mortally wounding Patrolman Matthews. Patrolman Matthews was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects, who was eventually arrested. The other was apprehended by the police chief after a brief struggle. Both men pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and were sentenced to life in prison about 40 hours after the shooting occurred. However, the sentences were commuted to 21 years in 1917. One convict was released in 1923 and the other in 1929.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KS-7F0AD9C4
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Caswell. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Matthews served with the Topeka Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Matthews.

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

Agency

Department Topeka Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Topeka, Shawnee County, KS

Platform Identity tpd.shawnee.ks.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 5, 1912

Age 54

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Patrolman Caswell S. Matthews is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.

In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.8 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

At Topeka Police Department, 6 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.

Topeka Police Department

of 10 officers

60% Felonious

KS — Statewide

237

of 335 officers

70.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,587 officers

53.9% Felonious