Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ricky I was thinking of you and my son Kurt who passed away on April 12, 1997 the same year as you. I remember going out with all the kids when you live in Plymouth MA and eating seafood. We went to the mall and you couldn't find the sneackers you wanted. I thought by now it would get a little more easy loosing a son but it gets worsst. My prayers are with you family and my family. It is now June 11, 2013, may God Bless You.

Susan Sowa

June 10, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Detective Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

March 24, 2013

Hard to believe fifteen years today. I still think of you all the time. Pat abd i communicate on facebook now.
she still has that great emile. Now rides a harley. Smh!
Sometimes now when i work with kids, they always want my bracelets. I never let go of yours though.
so did u meet mom when she made it to heaven.
Always in my thoughts.
prissy
Searched high and low for your mom ab
nd sister. Cant find thrm. Sure would like to though

prissy

October 12, 2012

days hould be so much easier as the years have gone by, but it hasn't for me. rick you are always in my heart and here it would be your forty third birthday and all those years have passed now and i always wonder what would have been....would you have children, still be a cop...what about all the if's that a mother has missed. for some reason this has been such a hard year for me and i get so angry...i only wish justice would prevail and all this would be over with. you rest in peace my beloved son and i love you sooooooo much. mom

mom

July 13, 2012

It's been nearly 15 years and the memory of that night is still painful. My partner and I were the first medics along with 3 other officers to arrive on scene. 15 years later, I am an airline pilot with a wife and 2 young children (son 9 and daughter 6). My little girl wants more than anything to be a police officer when she becomes old enough. I can only pray that someday she will be as brave as John and Pat and proudly serve her community. God bless your family and you John. Also, God bless all the men and women who put on a uniform and badge to serve and protect us.

Former Firemedic Antonio Taylor
Gwinnett County Fire and Rural Metro

March 12, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Sowa. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 17, 2012

14 years have passed and yet it seems like just a minute ago that you were tragically taken from all who love you. We miss you still.

Annonomys

October 13, 2011

I can't believe that it's been fourteen years because I remember every detail like it was yesterday. I was assigned to the funeral detail and I remember the tears flowing uncontrollably as I stood my post, but I never made a sound. The church was surrounded by a sea of blue uniforms and I remember hoping that this would be the last officer's funeral that I would attend during my career. Sadly, it was not.
So all we can do is remember the fallen and honor their memory by carrying the torch. Your partner that night, Pat Cocciolone, is a blazing example of that. In the wake of our great loss, we have had the joy of watching her heal and live her life to the fullest. She is an inspiration to many.
I always remember the Sowa family, as well as my APD family, especially on this date each year. Anyone who knew Sowa will never forget him. I look forward to the day that justice is fully served so that perhaps then we will find some measure of peace.

Anonymous

October 12, 2011

Rick,
Just thinking of how we used to ride our bikes and go fishing during the summers in Fulton. I was in Atlanta a couple years ago on business and thought pretty often of the tragedy of '97. I hope they execute your killer soon. This waiting game has to be very hard on your family. You aren't forgotten my old friend!

Rob Nerpel
Childhood Friend

July 21, 2011

Happy early 42nd birthday my beautiful angel. I miss you every day. You are always in my heart and thoughts, especially tonight. Just found out a Clayton County Sheriff was just killed by a 17 year old kid who was robbing a store. Please take him under your wing and ease the pain of his friends and family.

I know our baby girl Brittany is up in heaven with her daddy who she loved so much! I miss both of you so much. But at least I find comfort in knowing you are safe and still watching over all of us.

Still waiting for Lawler to get executed, but no execution date and it has been over 11 years since the sentence was handed down. But the one good thing is that he is on GA Death Row and he has to answer for his sins.

Know I love you and always will since the day I met you at age 14. You are always beside me and always will be. Thank you for all your love and walking beside me everyday.

Happy birthday my special angel - big hugs and lots of kisses.

All my love..

Danielle Sowa
Widow of Rick Sowa

July 20, 2011

Still miss you buddy!!!

Sgt. Paul Cooper
Atlanta Police Department

June 18, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of your passing. I know how your family feels, as I lost my son on April 12, 1997. There isn't a day that I don't think about you and my son. I remember going to the mall with you and your sister. My god help your family deal with loosing you. It doesn't seem fair two young men are gone. I miss you both.

Susan Sowa

Anonymous

March 1, 2011

Dear Christine and Family,

I am Susan Sowa's Daughter I am sorry I read about your Son Ricky. I lost my Brother the same year April 12, 1997. He got pushed off a three story building, and the Murderer walked. I remember Kim and your Son. I never knew how to get in touch with you as John would never give us any information. I want you to know I feel your pain and I have watched my Mother's pain in her eyes for 13 years. If you my e-mail it is [email protected]. I will pray for you and your family.

Anonymous

March 1, 2011

Hi there.
Well this year is starting off tragically for LEO's. Take comfort in knowing you are there to meet them.
Take care

Prissy

January 20, 2011

We still miss you John. I think about you and your eternally optimistic outlook all the time. You never had a bad day in all the time I knew you. May God keep you.

Sgt. Paul E. Cooper
Atlanta Police Department

January 8, 2011

Merry Christmas Buddy!! not a day goes by that I dont think of you!!
I found Pat!! I wish i had a way to tell your mom...she is good and u are forever in her heart!!

Prissy

December 23, 2010

Well I came to the site tonite, to let you know I was thinking bout u.. only to find another officer lost his life on a DV call.Deputy Crenshaw,EOW 12/3/2010. Im sure by now you already have met... I wish I could tell you I have been in contact with your family, but I cant. I lost contact with them when I left Catholic Charities... my trafficking case is going to trial soon i do believe... What a mess!! Please know I think of you and your family so very often.. Merry Christmas

theresa/prissy

December 5, 2010

Well, ur 13th anniversary has now come and gone. Im sorry I did not write to you, computer problems.
I left Catholic Charities in June... it was a good thing. Still doing human trafficking with the state of La.. and wanted tolet you know that you still have a positive impact on people. Got your memoiral bracelet at the beginning of the year. It has been shown to quite a few of my clients kids who were scared of the police their whole lives. Nothing like a trafficker to persuade kids and women that the police are not good. Got a childrens x small and it is still too big!! lol. Saw that your mom posted just a bit below me.. hoping she and the rest of the family are well... tqm

prissy

October 21, 2010

wELL rICK, IT HAS BEEN THIRTEEN LONG YEARS FOR ME AND I WILL NEVER GET OVER YOU BEING GONE....IT IS SO HARD FOR A MOM TO LOSE HER SON AND BEST FRIEND....I SHARE SO MANY STORIES WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SOUTHERN PINES NC POLICE DEPARTMENT AS THEY HAVE ADOPTED ME AND I THINK SO MUCH OF EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM....HOPEFULLY, JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED SOON. I PRAY FOR THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY....LOVE AND KISSES TO YOU SON.....MOM

MOM

October 13, 2010

Thinking of you on the anniversary of your passing. I was with you then. You are still with me now. Look over us.

Christian

October 13, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 13th 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.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I share your mom's anquish in losing a beloved cild which surely has to be life's greatest sorrow.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 12, 2010

13 years ago you were taken out of our lives. We still miss you.

Anonymous

October 12, 2010

I think of you often my friend.

Travis

July 28, 2010

Hey son! Well it has been forty one years since your birth and i had 28 wonderful years with you before the "lord" took you in his arms to be with your fellow brothers watching over us each and every day...So strange how it was your birthday yesterday and the blue braclet i ordered in your memory arrived. I miss you so much and truly think about you each and every day and share such special memories with everyone....

I will be honoring you at the southern pines police department on the 3rd of august as they open their new police station....i will be reading the policemen's prayer and "son' you will hear the bagpipes and the twenty one gun salute....

I love you so much and jamie, kim, andy, angela and jim all miss you tooo....

mom

christine roth
mom

July 23, 2010

I never got the chance to know you Rick. But I do know a special lady that you had in your life, you called her mom. I have worked with her for a year now. And every chance she gets she brags about you and loves to talk about you with the cops that come in. She is a special lady. I hope that you are keeping watch over her.

Codi Ruytss

June 15, 2010