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Incident
Constable Godwin was shot and killed at a local business by a 26-year-old man who held a grudge against him over a previous arrest. He was captured and hanged in 1877.
Survivors
Constable Godwin was survived by his wife and six children.
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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Godwin served with the Tehachapi Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tehachapi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tehachapi Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1876, 1 officer in CA was killed feloniously, the 145th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1876, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1876, 43 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 41. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 41. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Thomas was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.8%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Tehachapi Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Tehachapi Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tehachapi Police Department are honored on badge.nw.