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Incident
Police Officer Thomas Bowen was shot and killed after responding to a burglary call. During the call, he became involved in a pursuit with the suspect, who eventually crashed at Edgewood Road and Auburn Avenue. Officer Bowen radioed to dispatchers that he was going to check the vehicle for injuries at 4:07 am. When backup officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Officer Bowen suffering from two .22 caliber gunshot wounds to the forehead. He was transported to the Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was apprehended a short time later and subsequently sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 2014. Officer Bowen had served with the Columbus Police Department for over seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and fiancee.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Bowen gave the Columbus Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Bowen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbus Police Department has lost 26 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1984, 1 officer at Columbus Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1896, with 3.
In 1984, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 26. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Columbus Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 33. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 26. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 26. 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. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.5% of these deaths at Columbus Police Department; October holds the most, 21.1%. Sundays: 10.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.1% of all 26 deaths at Columbus Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 36.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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
Columbus Police Department has 26 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Matthew W. Murphy
Dec 26, 1874
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Richard M. Adams Oct 14, 1896
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Charlie J. Roberts Oct 14, 1896
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William Jackson Oct 14, 1896
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N. G. Osborn Jan 31, 1901
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William S. Elliott Mar 27, 1901
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Marion Marchant Apr 17, 1911
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Nelson Harrison Gibson Sep 12, 1915
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Charles B. Harvey May 20, 1920
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James W. Stokes May 22, 1920
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William G. Pate Feb 5, 1921
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Ernest S. Evans Oct 25, 1935
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Harry C. Gibson
Apr 6, 1943
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Sumpter Burns Nov 6, 1946
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Jack E. Boone, Sr.
Feb 15, 1973
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Robert Gray Vining
Apr 21, 1976
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Billy Ray Watson, Sr.
Dec 28, 1976
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James Neal Bowers
Apr 4, 1979
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Thomas M. Bowen
Mar 11, 1984
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Clois Willard Lamb
Dec 12, 1989
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Shirley Denise Winston
Dec 31, 1990
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Sife Perdue
Jan 5, 1994
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Charles Edward Osborne, Jr.
Aug 8, 1994
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Robert Tyrone Kearse, Sr.
May 11, 2006
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Thomas Keith Slay
Jul 30, 2013
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Richard Arnold McMahan
Oct 13, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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