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Incident
Sergeant Donald Sowma was shot and killed after he and other officers responded to a silent burglar alarm. While he was searching the premises, he was shot by a suspect. The suspect surrendered to a SWAT team six hours later. The 32-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on July 7, 1977. He was denied parole on November 10, 2022. His next parole hearing is in October of 2024. Sergeant Sowma had served with the Cypress Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. In his memory, a street near the Cypress Civic Center is named Sowma Way.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Sowma gave the Cypress Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cypress community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Sowma.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald Jack Sowma Sr. served in the U.S. Navy (1950â1954) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Donald is the only officer of Cypress Police Department remembered here.
Donald is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 44. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Donald had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cypress Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Military Service
Donald Jack Sowma Sr. served in the U.S. Navy (1950–1954) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Donald Jack Sowma Sr.’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 14-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
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