Sergeant Lloyd Edward Lowry North Carolina Highway Patrol North Carolina Tuesday, September 23, 1997  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know they do not grieve alone.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD
2009-10-07

The funeral line was long, There's an awful lot of cars, Folks came out of the restaurants, They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites All let their hammers drop. Someone asked. "What is this all for?" And they said, "Aw, just a cop."
Some chuckled at the passing cars. Some shed a silent tear Some people said, "It's stupid," "all these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?" "Or in a doughnut shop?" Sure is a lot of trouble, For someone who's just a cop."
They blocked the intersections, They blocked the interstate. People yelled and cursed, "Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!" "They're makin' us all stop!" "It seems they are sure wastin' time, On someone who's just a cop."
Into the cemetery now, The slow procession comes, The woeful Taps are slowly played. There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads "This service is a flop." "There's lots of good words wasted, On someone who's just a cop"
Yeah, just a cop to most folks. Did his duty every day. Trying to protect us, Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven, St. Peter put him at the top. An angel asked him, "Who was that?" And he said, "Aw, just a cop."
His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

May God be with everyone!!!!!!!!!

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX
2009-04-16

I shared a court day with Sgt Lowery and would sometimes see him in the LEC on the weekends when we were processing our arrests. I saw him the Saturday before his murder and we had a laugh about the DWI arrest who had been sick in his car. The Sergeant took it in stride and had a good laugh about it as well. I was also in the court room when the DA's office came in and asked the judge to dismiss all of your citations/arrests, I can't even describe how that made all of the officers feel.

I attended your service, but was unable to make it to the grave site. You were so well thought of and respected that the procession was so long that our car never made it to the cemetary. The entire route was lined with citizens who came out to pay their respets as well.

God bless.

Anonymous

2009-01-18

Sergeant Lowry, I respect the price you've paid in the pursuit of justice. A few weeks ago I was requested to give a speech about bravery, having prior knowledge of this incident, I used you as my primary example. I will leave an exerpt from my closing statement. "The simple fact that Sgt. Lowry put on a uniform and a badge every day was an act of bravery. I leave you with a message, justice has a cost, and brave men and women will step forward to uphold justice, and some in the process do pay the ultimate price. Bravery, to an average person here in the United States, ie the 9-5 guy, is just a word. However to a fallen officer's agency and family, bravery is not a word, it is a reminder that in the face of overwhelming odds, and even in the face of death, that their loved one, or their brother in law enforcement upheld his duty, and paid the ultimate price so that others would not have to."

Exp.
Southern Pines Police Department NC
2008-12-03

SGT. Lowry your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
2008-10-16

You were an amazing person who had a tremendous impact on the people who
served with you. You were a wonderful role model with a matchless work ethic.
The admiration people had for you will never be forgotten. I can only imagine
how much you are missed. You served many years, but still your career was cut
short. Eleven years later, time has not diminished your service nor sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

2008-09-24

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former Police Officer
District Heights Police (MD), Dept.
2008-09-23

We miss you Ed.

Trooper
NC State Highway Patrol
2008-05-11

Over 10 years has passed and the tears still fall every time I look at Ed's memorial. I still miss him and think he was the worlds best trooper. No one has mentioned that Ed was demoted for chasing a bad guy and shooting out his tires a few years before he was killed. All of the troopers looked up to him for that, but the hierarchy thought it was a little too aggressive. Ed appealed the decision and won his stripes back. He was reinstated as a sergeant posthumously. Way to go, Ed!!!!!!
Also, the man that chased after the suspects, giving step by step details to the communications center has died of cancer at a very young age. It seems that heroes finish last, but I know that they are much better off than those left behind. They are in mansions made of gold and awaiting our arrival.

N.C. Trooper
N.C. State Highway Patrol
2008-01-28

Over 10 years has passed and the tears still fall every time I look at Ed's memorial. I still miss him and think he was the worlds best trooper. No one has mentioned that Ed was demoted for chasing a bad guy and shooting out his tires a few years before he was killed. All of the troopers looked up to him for that, but the hierarchy thought it was a little too aggressive. Ed appealed the decision and won his stripes back. He was reinstated as a sergeant posthumously. Way to go, Ed!!!!!!
Also, the man that chased after the suspects, giving step by step details to the communications center has died of cancer at a very young age. It seems that heroes finish last, but I know that they are much better off than those left behind. They are in mansions made of gold and awaiting our arrival.

N.C. Trooper
N.C. State Highway Patrol
2008-01-28

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2007-12-27

Sgt Lowry, I never knew you and I was in high school when you were killed but I remember the incident. Recently I met one of your friends and decided to pay my respects to a fellow Trooper. I understand your sacrifice more clearly now that I am a Trooper. You are not forgotten.

Trooper
Kentucky State Police
2007-10-03

On the 10th anniversary of Sergeant Lowry's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Sergeant Lowry is not forgotten.

Agent Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
2007-09-23

09-23-07
On this 10th anniversary of your passing, we pause to remember. Rest in peace Ed, job well done. Know that your bothers and sisters here have not forgotten you. To the family of Sergeant Ed Lowry I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Ed you may be gone but know you will never be forgotten. The law enforcement community across the country continues to feel you’re lost.

Master Deputy
Chesterfield County Sheriff's office Va.
2007-09-23

I'll never forget that day. You and David are heroes.

Trooper
North Carolina Highway Patrol
2007-05-22

God Bless our fallen brother and his family !!!!
Thank You for serving the citizens of the great state of North Carolina & paying the ultimate price for all.

Sincerely (God Bless) !!!!
Cpl.J.W. Lowder, Union County Sheriff's Department

Cpl. J.W. Lowder
Union County Sheriff's Deparment
2007-05-14

To the family of Ed,
I just found this page. Our fathers were friends (Jerry Calhoun) went to school with both Al and Ed. I was very saddened when this incident took place and apologize for the late condolences. May God be with you still at this time the 10th anniversary of Ed's needless death.

Detective Larry Calhoun
Naugatuck Ct PD
2007-01-23

It is hard for me to find the words to say, for I knew only so little of you. But from what I know, you were truly a Troopers Trooper. Rest in peace, God bless you and your family.

DEPUTY SHERIFF 2, JOHNNY RAY CARPENTER
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NC
2006-11-29

Both Ed and David were long time friends of mine over the
years I served from 1977 to 1991 with the Cumberland County
Sheriff's Dept. and 1991 to 1995 with the Hoke County Sheriff's Dept. I was shot in the back and paralized from my armpits down in 1995 and during the many months I spent in the hospital both David and Ed stopped by to visit me
several times when I was very depressed and both seemed just what to say to raise my spirits. David once spent four hours talking to me when I was at my lowest. They were not just my friends they were my brothers who did what they did for everyone, helped me more than they will ever know. That's what real law enforcement officers do, help people and enforce the law. God bless them both and their families.

Det. Lt. Bob Conerly Jr. (Med. Ret.)
CCSD & HCSD Friend of Both Officers
2006-10-16

I remember the day Three other deputies and myself were on meal break. We got a call over the Alert One Radio, an Officer was down. We all responded to the location. By the time we arrived, other deputies and troopers were bringing the suspects out of a wooded area beside I-95 south of Dunn, NC.
I never knew Ed, but I knew what he stood for. I have always had the highest respect for the highway patrol. Ed was not just a trooper, to me he was a brother officer. He left behind a family with a hole that will remain empty for a long time. Thank You Ed, for doing what others only talked about. Thank You for your service, and being one of the finest people in the world.

Fmr.Dep. RK Chestnutt
Johnston Co. Sheriff's Office
2006-10-03

My thoughts are with your loved ones and friends on this 9th anniversary of your end of watch. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

2006-09-22

I will never forget where I was when the news came through that we lost 2 law enforcement officers. Sgt. Lowry, your efforts will never be forgotten. I am taught that we must forgive, yet being reminded of a loss like this, it makes it real hard to do that. May God provide peace to your family. You are NEVER forgotten.

D. Johnson

2006-08-23

You were a great supervisor and role model for other trooper/ criminal interdiction officers to follow. You are missed a great deal and it was my honor to work with and then for you.

Trooper R.C. Broadway
NCSHP C-3
2006-08-06

I was stationed in the Army at Fort Bragg, NC when you were killed and remember the whole tragedy.
At the trial of the two scumbags, when they were sentenced to death, I was watching the local Fayetteville news. I will never forget when your daughter yelled out, "You killed my daddy!!" That has stuck with me. God bless you sir.

PO
St Louis, MO area
2006-07-31

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer
TN
2006-06-04