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Incident
Officer Bowlin was shot and killed when he was ambushed at the scene of a domestic dispute call at 1213 Litton Avenue. He and two other officers had responded to the call after reports of shots fired and attempted to make contact with the residents of the home. The domestic argument stemmed from a court judgement earlier in the day when the suspect was ordered to give his ex-girlfriend and former lawn care business partner, two lawnmowers and a car. The suspect fled the house with a high-powered weapon and stood at one corner of the building as the officers approached. After not receiving a response at the door the other two officers walked around back and Officer Bowling began to return to his cruiser. As he walked towards the car he was shot in the head by a suspect who was hiding in nearby bushes. The 54-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. His last prison mug shot was posted in 2003 and he was paroled at some point after that. Officer Bowlin had been with the agency for just under five years. He was survived by his wife, mother, and father, who was head of the Metro Intelligence Division. Bowlin was killed on his 2-month wedding anniversary.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and father, who was head of the Metro Intelligence Division.
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.
Officer Bowlin gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bowlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Metro Nashville Police Department has lost 20 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1982, 1 officer at Metro Nashville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1982, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 27. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Metro Nashville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 35.3; the middle age was 28.5. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
William was 27. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William 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. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.3% of these deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Wednesdays: 14.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 20 deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Metro Nashville Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Lonnie L. Harper
Aug 10, 1963
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Charles Reuben Byrd
Sep 26, 1963
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Carroll Gordon Bargatze
Oct 16, 1965
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Thomas E. Johnson
Jan 16, 1968
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Charles W. Thomasson
Mar 17, 1968
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Robert L. Williams
May 2, 1968
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Raymond Leroy Wheeler
Nov 6, 1973
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Curtis Jordan
Jan 13, 1976
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George Howard Hall
Feb 23, 1976
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Steven Ross Pinkelton
Jul 26, 1978
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Edward L. Tarkington
Dec 17, 1978
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John Wesley Smith, III
May 14, 1980
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William Lee Bowlin
Aug 4, 1982
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James Ronnie Woodard, Sr.
Oct 9, 1991
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Francis Paul Scurry
May 17, 1996
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Candace Renee Ripp
Dec 8, 2001
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Christy Jo Dedman
Jul 19, 2004
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Michael Alexander Petrina
May 10, 2014
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Eric Wayne Mumaw
Feb 2, 2017
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John Ralph Anderson, IV
Jul 4, 2019
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
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