Topeka Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch Sunday, May 5, 1912
Add to My HeroesCaswell S. Matthews
Patrolman Caswell Matthews was shot and killed by two suspects who had robbed the Bonner Springs marshal.
Patrolman Matthews received information that the two would be arriving at the Union Pacific depot on the 6:00 am train. When he spotted the two men he attempted to question them but was met with gunfire, mortally wounding Patrolman Matthews. Patrolman Matthews was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects, who was eventually arrested.
The other was apprehended by the police chief after a brief struggle.
Both men pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and were sentenced to life in prison about 40 hours after the shooting occurred. However, the sentences were commuted to 21 years in 1917. One convict was released in 1923 and the other in 1929.
Bio
- Age 54
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Convicted of First-degree Murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsRest in Peace, Patrolman Matthews. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
February 4, 2014
Recent LODD Deaths
Captain Steven M. Gaudet, Jr.
Pearl River Police Department, LA
EOW: July 16, 2020
Lieutenant Erik K. Lloyd
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: July 29, 2020
Master Detention Deputy Richard Barry
Lake County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: July 16, 2020
Police Officer Sheena Dae Yarbrough-Powell
Beaumont Police Department, TX
EOW: August 9, 2020
Corrections Officer Daniel G. Oaks
Yakima County Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: August 1, 2020
Special Agent John Bost, III
United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, US
EOW: July 28, 2020
Sergeant Steven Splan
Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Safety, MI
EOW: August 2, 2020
Sergeant Corey Pendergrass
Lauderhill Police Department, FL
EOW: July 26, 2020
Master Sergeant Henry Turner
Louisiana Department of Corrections, LA
EOW: July 18, 2020