Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Dowies was shot and killed with his own service weapon after locating a man wanted in an earlier disturbance. Patrolman Dowies was assisting another agency and knew the suspect. At 11:30 p.m., he located the man at his home at 210 Avenue in Tenino and went to talk to him. As a struggle ensued, the suspect gained control of Patrolman Dowies' service weapon and shot him. The suspect, 20, was quickly taken into custody. On August 1, 1978, the suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life plus 5 years for stealing Patrolman Dowie's wallet. His first parole hearing is in 2028. Patrolman Dowies was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran who had served with the Tenino Police Department for six years and previously served with the Yelm Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-03D04387- 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.
Patrolman Dowies gave the Tenino Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tenino 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
John H. Dowies served in the Army (1966â1971) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman John H. Dowies 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Tenino Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Dowies's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Dowies Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Dowies is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Dowies was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tenino Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
