Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman August Nowka was shot and killed as he and the city marshal searched two robbery suspects.
One of the men pulled out a handgun and shot Watchman Nowka three times, killing him. The city marshal was also wounded in the leg. Both suspects were apprehended the next day near the Kansas state line after being shot and seriously wounded by two highway patrolman and the Garfield County undersheriff.
The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His accomplice was convicted of murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 50 years. On February 23, 1942, he escaped from prison and was shot and killed the next day by officers in Oklahoma City.
Watchman Nowka was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
Watchman Nowka was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-OK-ED78E74D- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Nowka served with the Tuttle Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tuttle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Nowka.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman August Godfrey Nowka 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 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. August Godfrey Nowka's cause is highlighted.
How August Godfrey Nowka Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. August Godfrey Nowka is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. August Godfrey Nowka was killed by handgun.