Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Downes was shot and killed in Robinstown while arresting a suspected currency counterfeiter. As Deputy Downes attempted to place the suspect under arrest the man shot and killed him. The suspect was later executed by hanging for his crime. Deputy Downes was buried in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. In the summer of 2004, his grave was located and a ceremony was held honoring his sacrifice and service. At the time of Deputy Downes' murder, Maine had not yet been formed as a state, and Cumberland County was a part of Massachusetts.
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BO-US-ME-99D3125B- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
215 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Downes served with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Machias community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Tileston Downes 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Tileston Downes's cause is highlighted.
How John Tileston Downes Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Tileston Downes is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Tileston Downes was killed by gun; unknown type.