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Incident
Patrolman Roland was killed in an automobile accident while on duty. He had been with the agency for four years. Officer Tommy Lee Roland was fatally injured when a truck struck his patrol car from the rear. Flames covered the car immediately after the impact and Officer Roland suffered severe burns, was overcome with smoke and hot gases, and sustained a head injury. He was taken to Bowie Hospital where he died from his injuries. Patrolman Roland served as a law enforcement officer for five years including one year in Saint Jo, Texas before joing the Bowie Police Department.
In Our Keeping
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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 Roland gave the Bowie Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bowie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bowie Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Tom is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Tom is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Tom 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 1959, 5 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1959, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1959, 67 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 79th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Tom was 59. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Tom had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Tom was 59. 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. Tom had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tom was 59. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Tom had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Bowie Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, 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
Bowie Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Tom among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bowie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
