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Incident
Deputy Martin Sowders was accidentally shot and killed by another deputy during a shootout with a suspect wanted for robbing a pharmacy. During the arrest, the man opened fire on the deputies. Deputy Sowders was struck by return fire from one of the other deputies. The suspect was later identified as an escaped convict from the Washington State Penitentiary. Deputy Sowders had served seven years with the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Martin is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Sowders gave the Clark County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Vancouver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sowders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Martin S. Sowders served in the U.S. Air Force (1968â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Clark County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Martin is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Martin is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Martin is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 3 officers in WA were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1976, 59 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1976, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Martin was 29. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Martin had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Martin was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Martin had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Martin was 29. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Martin had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 15.3% of these deaths in WA, more than any other month. Fridays: 18%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Clark County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Clark County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Martin among them.
Military Service
Martin S. Sowders served in the U.S. Air Force (1968–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Martin S. Sowders’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Clark County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
