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Incident
Patrolman Caswell Matthews was shot and killed by two suspects who had robbed the Bonner Springs marshal. Patrolman Matthews received information that the two would be arriving at the Union Pacific depot on the 6:00 am train. When he spotted the two men he attempted to question them but was met with gunfire, mortally wounding Patrolman Matthews. Patrolman Matthews was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects, who was eventually arrested. The other was apprehended by the police chief after a brief struggle. Both men pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and were sentenced to life in prison about 40 hours after the shooting occurred. However, the sentences were commuted to 21 years in 1917. One convict was released in 1923 and the other in 1929.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Matthews served with the Topeka Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Topeka Police Department has lost 10 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Caswell is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Caswell is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Caswell is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 1 officer at Topeka Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2012, with 2.
In 1912, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Caswell was 54. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Topeka Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47.5; the middle age was 36.
Caswell was 54. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Caswell was 54. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Caswell was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 16.7% of these deaths at Topeka Police Department; December holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 66.7%.
May holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at Topeka Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Topeka Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Caswell among them.
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Caswell S. Matthews
May 5, 1912
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Clarence L. Shields
Apr 11, 1955
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Marcus W. Hood
Nov 1, 1974
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James Michael Buffum Sep 13, 1975
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Tony Ray Patterson
Oct 12, 1995
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Charles Joseph Bohlender, Jr.
Jun 13, 2000
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Jeff William Howey
Jun 13, 2000
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David Scott Gogian
Dec 16, 2012
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Jeffrey Glenn Atherly
Dec 16, 2012
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Jason Eugene Harwood
Sep 7, 2014
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Topeka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
