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Case Description
Any updates on this case?
Patrolman Salavia C. 'Lafe' Bowen, a 39-year-old officer with the Wheeling Police Department, succumbed to gunshot wounds on December 26, 1902. The incident occurred two days earlier, on December 24, 1902, when Bowen was attempting to arrest a suspect for public drunkenness near 1033 Market Street in Wheeling, West Virginia.
During the arrest, the suspect resisted and shot Patrolman Bowen. Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene and escaped to Ohio. However, he was eventually a ...Read More
During the arrest, the suspect resisted and shot Patrolman Bowen. Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene and escaped to Ohio. However, he was eventually a ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (2)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
Salavia C. Lafe Bowen
Male
White / Caucasian
Wheeling
WV
1902-12-24
39
Salavia
C. Lafe Bowen
11/04/2025
Forum Posts (3)
Was anyone else disturbed by how short the sentence was for killing Patrolman Bowen? Three years fee... ...Read More
05/18/2024
05/18/2024
Wow, I've been reading about Patrolman Bowen's case, and I can't help but think about his young fami... ...Read More
08/27/2023
08/27/2023
I was reading about the tragic case of Patrolman Lafe Bowen, and it struck me how much has changed i... ...Read More
05/29/2023
05/29/2023
