Patrolman Marshall Jefferson Sowders, Jr.

Marshall Jefferson Sowders, Jr.

Patrolman Marshall Sowders was shot and killed when he made a traffic stop of two robbery suspects, a man and a woman while en route to an armed robbery call. The call was the second such call in less than one hour. During his response he noticed a suspicious vehicle, turned his cruiser around, and stopped the vehicle. As Patrolman Sowders approached the vehicle the male driver suddenly exited and opened fire with a .357 caliber handgun, striking him four times. Both suspects were captured in nearby Gilmer after a shootout with police in which the woman was critically wounded. The man was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. On April 10, 1991, his sentence was commuted to life.

Patrolman Sowders had served with the agency for three months and had previously served with another agency. He was survived by his wife.