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Incident
Sergeant Dowell was shot and killed while conducting a raid on a home with other members of his department. The officers were attempting to arrest two armed bank robbers. The first suspect answered the door and stalled the officers as the second suspect armed himself with a shotgun. Sergeant Dowell was the third man on the team to enter. The team was ambushed by the second suspect who came around a wall and opened fire. Sergeant Dowell was struck in the back as he dove for cover. The suspect fled through a rear door but was shot and killed by another officer who was outside. Sergeant Dowell's badge number was retired after his murder.
Survivors
He had been with the agency for 11 years and was survived by his wife, two young children, parents, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Dowell gave the Ventura Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Dowell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Darlon is the only officer of Ventura Police Department remembered here.
Darlon is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Darlon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Darlon is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 14 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Darlon was 32. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Darlon had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Darlon was 32. 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. Darlon had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Darlon was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Darlon had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ventura Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 3.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ventura Police Department are honored on badge.nw.