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Stephen Allen Bowman
Incident
Officer Stephen Bowman was killed when the helicopter he was a passenger in crashed on Holston Mountain, six miles northeast of Elizabethton, Tennessee. He was flying in a Tennessee National Guard OH-58 Kiowa helicopter while conducting reconnaissance to locate marijuana grows. The helicopter crashed in a remote mountain area and wasn't found for three days. The pilot, a Tennessee National Guardsman, was also killed. Officer Bowman had served in law enforcement for 13 years and was assigned to the Governor's Task Force for Marijuana Eradication.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Bowman gave the United States Department of Agriculture 13 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bowman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations has lost 9 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Stephen is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 10 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Stephen was 45. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Stephen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Stephen was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Stephen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stephen was 45. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Stephen had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.3% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 10.6%. Wednesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 9 deaths at United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations has 9 officers remembered here, Stephen among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations are honored on badge.nw.
