John T. Sowders

How they died

Deadly force

Sowders appeared intoxicated to officers after a traffic stop and a violent confrontation ensued. Waldick says Sowders had what appeared to be a hunting knife. He cut one officer and chased another threatening to kill him. Police said Sowders began chasing officer Justin Bentz with the hunting knife. Sowders was tasered three times with no effect. That is when officer Bentz and Corporal Darrel Fields fired three rounds at Sowders, striking him once in the left shoulder, the bullet exiting his chest. The fatal shot was fired by officer Fields.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that John T. Sowders, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources