Cecil S. Bowman

End of watch — Thursday, June 8, 1911

Rank

Policeman

Serial number

Unknown

Division

Unknown

Location

Macy and Keller (now Cesar Chavez west of Avila at Santa Fe Rail Road tracks)

Cause of death

Hit by a Train

Patrolman Cecil Bowman began his late PM watch shift in the area of Macy Street and the Santa Fe tracks. Patrolman Bowman was crossing the tracks when he allowed a street car to pass. As the street car cleared, Bowman continued onto the tracks apparently unaware of a southbound Santa Fe freight train. The freight train struck Bowman and dragged his mangled body several hundred feet. A railroad employee telephoned Central Station to report the death of an unidentified patrolman. The on duty watch commander dispatched a sergeant to investigate. Upon arriving to the scene, the sergeant saw Patrolman Bowman's lifeless body and noted his star shaped badge still pinned to his uniform. The badge number was 217. At this point, Patrolman Cecil Bowman was positively identified as the deceased patrolman. Patrolman Bowman was 32-years-old at the time of his death. He left behind his wife Mary, son Percy, father Frances and stepmother. He was buried for a time at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetary, located at 1831 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, before his body was returned to his home state of Maine.