[3] A member of Ward 8's Tammany Club, Dowd served was appointed Director of Americanization by Mayor James Michael Curley in 1921.

[1] In September 1939, the Boston Bar Association petitioned the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to remove Dowd for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes from people applying for jobs with Suffolk County.

[4] On Friday, November 10, 1939, three days before the hearing on his removal, Dowd signed a letter of resignation, which he gave to his attorney, and left for New York City.

[8] A warrant was issued for his arrest and the Boston Police Department sent out circulars containing Dowd's photograph and fingerprints nationwide.

The trail for Dowd led police to Mexico City, Honolulu, and San Luis Obispo, California, but he avoided capture each time.

[4] On September 22, 1941, Dowd, using the name John W. Norton, was arrested in San Luis Obispo on a drunk driving charge.

His fingerprints were taken during the booking process and San Luis Obispo police discovered that he was a wanted fugitive.