Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Arthur Bower was shot and killed by burglary suspects. Patrolman Bower and another officer were sent to the western part of town, where it was reported that five men were breaking into a building on Lowell Boulevard. The officers found that the suspects had left the building, and the officers started toward Lawrence to try to locate them. A few miles away, they stopped a car without lights. While Patrolman Bower was talking to the driver, he was shot. Both officers emptied their revolvers at the suspects as they fled in their automobile. Patrolman Bower was a WWI Purple Heart veteran and had served with the Methuen Police Department before and after the war.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-DC203B7F- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Bower gave the Methuen Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Methuen community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Arthur J. Bower served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Arthur J. Bower 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Methuen Police Department, 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur J. Bower's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur J. Bower Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur J. Bower is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur J. Bower was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Methuen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
