Posseman Cornelius Rowley

Cornelius Rowley

Posseman Cornelius Rowley was one of six officers shot and killed by an escaped convict.

Officer Bailey Tiffany, Officer Thurston Jones, and Officer Frank Ferrell, of the Oregon Department of Corrections, were shot and killed on June 9, 1902, by an inmate as he escaped from the Oregon State Penitentiary. The suspect also killed three civilians during the escape.

After the escape and murder of the three correctional officers and three civilians, a manhunt began for the suspect. On July 3, 1902, the suspect setup an ambush near Bothell, Washington. He shot and killed Detective Charles Raymond, of the Everett, Washington, Police Department, and wounded Deputy John Williams, of the King County, Washington, Sheriff's Department. Deputy Williams later committed suicide as a result of the incident.

The suspect then fled the scene and invaded a house, where he took the occupants hostage and ate dinner. As he left the house he encountered other officers and engaged them in a shootout. Posseman Neil Rowley, of the King County, Washington, Sheriff's Department, and Officer Enoch Breece, of the Seattle, Washington, Police Department, were both shot and killed.

On August 6, 1902, the suspect committed suicide after being wounded during a shootout with a posse in Lincoln County, Washington.