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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Levi Bowers was shot and killed in Rockford, Iowa, by a man he was attempting to arrest for the attempted murder of a local doctor.
As Deputy Bowers and the local constable entered the suspect's home, he opened fire with a shotgun, killing him instantly, and blowing off part of his mother's hand as she tried to stop him. The suspect was taken into custody and charged with Deputy Bowers' murder.
The 28-year-old suspect shot and slightly wounded the doctor as he walked out of a grocery store in Rockford. He said he shot the doctor because he gave him medicine for indigestion that burned up his insides. On March 18th, 1916, he was convicted of Deputy Bower's murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1918, he was transferred to the insane ward at Anamosa Penitentiary and died there on February 1, 1954.
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- September 9, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Bowers served with the Floyd County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Charles City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bowers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Levi is the only officer of Floyd County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Levi is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Levi is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Levi 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 1916, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Levi was 59. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Levi was 59. 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.
Levi was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 2.3% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Thursdays: 9.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Floyd County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 11.6% 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 11-W
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