Patrolman Marshall Jefferson "Butch" Sowders Jr.

End of Watch: Tuesday, November 22, 1977

Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 months

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, November 22, 1977

Early on the morning of November 22, 1977, Officer Sowders was enroute to an armed robbery of a convenience store - the second such robbery in less than an hour. While enroute, Officer Sowders met a vehicle which appeared suspicious to him.. Officer Sowders turned his vehicle around and initiated a traffic stop to investigate further.

Officer Sowders exited his patrol car and began to approach the other vehicle when the driver suddenly exited and immediately began firing at Officer Sowders with a .357 magnum revolver. Officer Sowders was struck numerous times. Although able to draw his service revolver, Officer Sowders was unable to return fire due to his fatal injuries.

At the time of his death, Officer Sowders had served 3 months with the Longview Police Department. He had previously worked as a Deputy Sheriff with the Harris County, Texas Sheriff's Office.

Officer Sowders was survived by his wife.