60 years ago today, there was a “race riot” in Garnett. No, not the kind you are thinking about. It was at the Garnett Grand Prix, and an Ottawa Police Officer died. It was a hot, extremely muggy day July 6th, 1963. Over 50,000 people descended on Garnett for the Garnett Grand Prix. After the races trial ended, the crowds gathered in downtown Garnett at the two bars on the Square. Unable to hold all the people, the party ended up in the street and the Courthouse lawn. The crowd grew more rowdy and Garnett Police Chief, Sam Geer ordered the bars closed. The people on the scene grew more rowdy and recognizing they were outnumbered, Chief Geer appealed to the Highway Patrol Headquarters in Topeka and other local sheriff’s departments to request more officers and tear gas.
Mayor Gwin Shell called the Governor to ask for the deployment of the National Guard. Around 12:30 am, Auxiliary Officers arrived including, Ottawa Police Chief, Robert Cowdin. He fired tear gas into the crowd that was trying to rush the courthouse and then slumped over complaining that he couldn’t catch his breath. He was taken to the Anderson County Hospital. Thirty minutes later, National Guardsman from Garnett and Ottawa, with loaded rifles and fixed bayonets, arrived. The crowd began to dissipate. When news came back that Chief Cowdin had died, the crowd dispersed and the riot ended at about 1:30 that morning.
News of the riot and Cowdin’s death spread Nationwide. The report of the riot for the State Attorney General outlines a poorly equipped police force against a giant mob, encouraged by a day of drinking. It was simply too much for the officers on patrol that night. Cowdin remains the Ottawa Police Department’s only officer to die in the line of duty.
