Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Mower died of wounds he received nine days earlier when he was shot by a Union Army solder.
Patrolman Mower was in uniform, walking home after finishing his shift. At the intersection of DeSoto Street and Linden Street, only a few feet from his home, he came upon a group of African American soldiers from the Union Army. As he walked passed, one of the soldiers shot Patrolman Mower in the stomach. Patrolman Mower turned to flee, but was shot a second time, in the back.
Patrolman Mower died nine days later from the wounds.
Patrolman Mower had served with the Memphis Police Department for 19 months.
Patrolman Mower was in uniform, walking home after finishing his shift. At the intersection of DeSoto Street and Linden Street, only a few feet from his home, he came upon a group of African American soldiers from the Union Army. As he walked passed, one of the soldiers shot Patrolman Mower in the stomach. Patrolman Mower turned to flee, but was shot a second time, in the back.
Rest in peace Patrolman Mower.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis January 16th, 2020
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-TN-ED8A976D- 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
160 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Mower gave the Memphis Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Mower 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Mower's cause is highlighted.
How William Mower Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Mower is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Mower was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
