Incident
Patrolman Benjamin Dowell was shot and killed as he stood on his post awaiting relief. As Patrolman Dowell stood on his post two men approached him. Patrolman Dowell had previously arrested one of the men and his sister. The suspect drew a revolver and before Patrolman Dowell could respond the suspect shot him in the stomach. Patrolman Dowell managed to return fire hitting the suspect in the arm. Patrolman Dowell was removed to the hospital where he died. The suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and hanged on April 13, 1905. Patrolman Dowell had served with the agency for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrolman Dowell gave the Nashville City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dowell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashville City Police Department has lost 22 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin 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 1903, 1 officer at Nashville City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 15 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 2.
In 1903, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 27. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Nashville City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 55; the middle age was 50. Benjamin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Benjamin was 27. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Benjamin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Benjamin was 27. 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. Benjamin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at Nashville City Police Department; July holds the most, 18.8%. Mondays: 18.8%.
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN, more than any other month. Mondays: 12%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 72.7% of all 22 deaths at Nashville City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
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Robert T. Frazier Apr 30, 1875
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John M. Arnold Feb 12, 1885
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Daniel Summitt Apr 30, 1899
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Benjamin F. Dowell
Dec 7, 1903
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W. I. Wright
Mar 4, 1914
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John Ryan
Mar 5, 1914
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Andrew Harrison Roberts, Sr. Jul 15, 1914
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Lem G. Thompson
Dec 12, 1915
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John Milliron
Jul 12, 1916
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John Friel
Sep 24, 1918
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James H. Johnson
Jul 21, 1921
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John True
Aug 4, 1924
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Archie B. Wood
Nov 12, 1924
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Chas H. Fudge
Nov 26, 1925
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Michael J. Mulvihill
May 9, 1931
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George W. Redmond
Sep 25, 1933
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Charles B. Sanders
Mar 17, 1934
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Paul W. Cavender
May 7, 1935
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Albert Alex Foster
Mar 20, 1936
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William Ray Holbrook
Apr 15, 1939
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Charles Dow Mundy
Jun 25, 1942
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Robert Burns Sandefur
Jul 3, 1943
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
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