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Incident
Officer John J. Flowers was shot and killed as he and his partner patrolled an Alabama Great Southern rail yard in the early morning hours looking for trespassers. Officer Flowers discovered two men in a rail car and ordered them out. When the men did not comply, Officer Flowers struck a match so that he could see them in the darkness. As soon as he did so, one of the men in the car drew a pistol and fired twice, striking Officer Flowers in the heart and killing him instantly.
Officer Flower's partner ran to his assistance, but both suspects managed to escape. Two men later captured turned out to be the wrong men. The suspects were never identified.
Officer Flowers had served with the Bessemer Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and step-daughter.
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.
Police Officer Flowers gave the Bessemer Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Flowers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bessemer Police Department has lost 10 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1902, 1 officer at Bessemer Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1902, 9 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 48. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Bessemer Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.5 and 47; the middle age was 42. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
John was 48. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 48. 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. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10% of these deaths at Bessemer Police Department; January holds the most, 10%. Thursdays: 30%.
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 10 deaths at Bessemer Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 1.2% 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; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Bessemer Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John Riley Manning
Apr 5, 1889
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John J. Flowers Aug 28, 1902
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Harmon Barton Patridge
Jan 6, 1911
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Frank Childress Nov 7, 1912
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Samuel Ulysses Spence
Sep 15, 1913
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Thomas Benjamin Wallace Feb 29, 1916
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J. Carl Goodwin Jun 15, 1918
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Rufus Shelley Kendrick
Jul 10, 1945
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Clifford Thomas Hill
May 2, 1979
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Tommy Lee Thedford
Oct 1, 1981
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
