Gwendolyn Ann Downs was a 26-year-old detective with the Louisville Police Department when she was killed on May 16, 1977. She and a partner responded to a call at a White Castle restaurant at 7th and Broadway. Her estranged husband, Claude Downs, a Louisville police officer who was off duty, was at the scene. As Gwendolyn approached his vehicle, he shot her; he then died at the scene.

The incident ended the career of Louisville’s first female officer killed in the line of duty. Downs had been with the department four years and was assigned to the sex-offenses unit; she was survived by two daughters. The case was closed after the death of the sole suspect.

Does anyone have memories of Downs or information about her service that could add to the record?