Benjamin F. Dowell
Agency patch
Patrolman

Benjamin F. Dowell

Felonious
End of Watch December 7, 1903
Age 27
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 19 ›
Gender Male

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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Stewardship
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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

Type Police Department
Location Nashville, Davidson County, TN
Platform Identity npd.davidson.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 7, 1903
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Nashville City Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.

Patrolman Benjamin F. Dowell

Nashville City Police Department · End of Watch December 7, 1903

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W

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