Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

RIP Deputy Sowders as you will always be remembered for your service; thank you.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police - Troop D

February 1, 2022

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Sowders.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 19, 2017

Martin Sowders is a 2015 recipient of the Washington Law Enforcement Medal of Honor.

Officer Mike Severance
Seattle Police Department (Retired)

April 4, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 19, 2011

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

You are never forgotten

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

March 9, 2009

Washington State lost 2 officers on this date, both in the same year. Even though it's been over 30 years, time has not diminished your service.
Thanks for serving the Evergreen State!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 19, 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 © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 9, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service, our deepest sympathy to all the officers involved

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 27, 2007

Marty, myself and 10 others were hired feb 1972. I still think about the good times when we played board game/cards.
I still miss him and think about him often.
Robert Reese

robert reese
former deputy ccso

July 16, 2006

I honor you Martin. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

July 31, 2004

HEROS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. MAY GOD BLESS. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.