Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Condolences to his family and his loved ones

Carson loveless

March 26, 2024

Butch, an officer was gunned down in Tulsa, OK, yesterday. I didn’t know him, but it reminded me of you. It’s been many years, but I just thought of your birthday tomorrow. RIP. Your cousin, Judy

Judy White
Cousin

July 1, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Sowders.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2020

RIP Butch. Like Ross McCammon, you were my first LODD funeral as a Rookie. I enjoyed hearing the old heads at HCSO talk about your career. Robin grew up with the Christmann sisters, one being my wife.

Deputy Constable Anonymous Anonymous
31 years of service

April 13, 2018

Butch, I don't know if you remember me. I was in my first year of law enforcement when you were murdered and 21 yrs.old, Working for Harris Co, pct#8 we made a few arrests together. I retired from Houston P.D. in 2004 w/ 27 yrs. After all these years and many LE funerals yours sticks in my mind, It was the first On duty LE funeral I have attended, I wish I could say it was the last. Beautiful Funeral with a long line of patrol cars from every agency in the area escorting you .. You are a true hero and someone I will never forget...

Police Officer Ross McCammon
Houston Police Dept. (Ret)

April 24, 2015

Marshall (Butch) previously served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office in Houston, Texas; we moved up to northern Texas to help his then recently widowed mother with their land and cattle.
Shortly after my 21st birthday, while dispatching for a nearby Police Department, the inter-city radio was ablaze with the pursuit involving my husband's killers.
November 22, 1977, at 0122 hours, senselessly cut down by gunfire.
Marshall's service lives...at least as long as I live...

Deputy Sheriff Robin (Sowders) Becht
Nye County Sheriff's Office

December 28, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 33rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 22, 2010

Marshall Jefferson Sowders,
Several years ago I join the Force in Law Enforcement
in 1985, Then after a few more years I lost my partner
Dirk Ray Knerarem died in the Line of Duty on 10-17-2004
After that I started going to the Fallen Officers Memorial,
My son is with the Sheriffs Dept in Maryland, He went to
the Memorial in Washington DC and picked me up several
of the Memories books there,
That where I found out about your death,
As I didn't know you, I want you to know that I am very
Proud of you for what and who you were,
You were a Officer in Blue and You Died in a gunfire,
My prayers are with you and your wife and your family,
I am now going to do my best to find your family,
I want to know more about you, and your family, and if all
possible i would like to have a picture of you,

I am now with the Baytown Police Citizen Acemdey Alunmi
Assocition. Baytown, Texas

Rest in peace Marshall J.Sowders Jr.
God has another Blue Knight there in Heaven with him.

Margie E.Sowders
Cousin
[email protected]

April 1, 2008

"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

February 14, 2008

Patrolman Sowders, you have not been forgotten. Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

December 7, 2007

rest in peace hero

vandenberghe
nh

November 29, 2007

It has been almost 30 years since your brtual murder. Thank you for your bravery, dedication and sacrifice. May your friends and family take comfort in knowing that you will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten! Until one day in Heaven we meet, keep walking your beat on the Golden Street.

DET SGT, Retired
Fayetteville PD, AR

September 12, 2007

God bless and thanks for your service.

Michael Ferguson, Instructor
East Texas Police Academy

April 28, 2007

I am so sorry your police instincts lead to your death. I and my and your colleagues will carry in your stead to protect the public in your memory.

Police Constable Neil Bowles
Metropolitan Plice Service England

June 7, 2005

You are not forgotten, hero. Never.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)