Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Stowe was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a man with a gun. He was off duty in a bar when the bartender recognized him as an officer and informed him that another patron had a gun. When Patrolman Stowe attempted to arrest the man he was shot and killed. On February 27, 1937, the 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death but a year later his sentence commuted to life. He was paroled on September 22, 1953. Patrolman Stowe had served with the San Antonio Police Department for 26 years.
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BO-US-TX-A8E86C41- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Stowe gave the San Antonio Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Stowe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Stowe 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Antonio Police Dept., 40 of 64 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Stowe's cause is highlighted.
How John Stowe Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1953
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Stowe is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Stowe was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
63 officers from San Antonio Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
