Atlanta Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Sunday, October 12, 1997
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 4824
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 12, 1997
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 2016
Police Officer John Sowa was shot and killed as he and another officer responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment complex at 2430 Morosgo Way at approximately 9:45 pm.
He and his partner were both shot in the head as they arrived at the scene. Officer Sowa was killed and the other officer was critically wounded. The subject then hid in his apartment for six hours before giving up and being taken into custody.
The 44-year-old subject was convicted of Officer Sowa's murder and subsequently sentenced to death on March 3rd, 2000. He was executed by lethal injection on October 19th, 2016.
Officer Sowa had served with the Atlanta Police Department for three years. He is survived by his wife, mother, stepfather, and sister.