Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 26, 1912
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 11 months
Badge Number: 703
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 26, 1912
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Policeman Thomas Dowling was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a juvenile in a pawnshop on the northeast corner of Fifth Street and Vine Street. The suspect fled the scene after the shooting but was eventually arrested after a short chase involving an officer and several citizens.
The 18-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years. On August 20th, 1912, he escaped from Eastern Penitentiary. Five weeks later during a sensational gun battle with police in Wilmington, Delaware, he shot and killed himself.