Roll of Honor
Kersey E. Gowin
Incident
Special Agent Kersey Gowin was shot and killed while he and Officer Patrick Devaney, of the Minot Police Department, were attempting to arrest several thieves. The officers were laying in wait in a field for the automobile tire thieves when they were shot. Officer Devaney was killed instantly; Agent Gowin was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his wounds early the next morning. Five men were arrested, however, one confessed to the shooting and was convicted of murder. He served two years in prison before escaping and was considered at large. Agent Gowin had served with the agency for one year. He was a veteran of the United States Army in the Spanish American War and the Philippine Insurrection. He was survived by his wife and two sons, father, and three brothers. He is buried in Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, Minot, Ward County, North Dakota.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons, father, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ND-C71460C0- 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.
Special Agent Gowin gave the North Dakota Attorney General's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bismarck 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
Kersey E. Gowin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Agent Kersey E. Gowin 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 ND, 39 of 61 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kersey E. Gowin's cause is highlighted.
How Kersey E. Gowin Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kersey E. Gowin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kersey E. Gowin was killed by gun; unknown type.