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Incident
Officer Lowry was shot and killed after the Tacoma SWAT Team responded to a domestic violence case in which the suspect was holding two children in the house. The suspect had been let go by another department earlier in the day after being confronted by officers because he had shot the illegally modified SKS in which he used later in the day. The guns were not confiscated by the other department. He then drove to his wife's home where the incident took place. While the Tacoma SWAT Team surrounded the house the suspect exited it and after a brief verbal confrontation he was shot with an Arwen (a non-lethal weapon) and fell into his doorway. Upon falling the four SWAT officers who were talking with him rushed him to cuff him. The suspect crawled into his house and picked up his weapon at which time he turned and opened fire from a kneeling position. Officer Lowry was struck once in the chest with the bullet penetrating his vest. The bullet then exited his body and struck another officer. Officer Lowry was extricated and pronounced dead at the hospital. The suspect was struck once and will be paralyzed from the chest down. He gave up and was taken into custody approximately four hours later. The suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder on March 11, 1999, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Officer Lowry had served with the Tacoma Police Department for 18 years.
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Lowry gave the Tacoma Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tacoma community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Francis Lowry served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tacoma Police Department has lost 12 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1997, 1 officer at Tacoma Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1997, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 39. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tacoma Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 39; the middle age was 33. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 39. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 39. 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. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Tacoma Police Department; January holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 40%.
August holds 10.7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Tacoma Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 13.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Tacoma Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Minor Cudihee
Jul 30, 1892
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Lloyd M. Kincaid Oct 28, 1918
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William Wickman
Aug 9, 1925
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Paul Andrew Trent
Nov 23, 1941
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Martin J. Joyce
Nov 25, 1941
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Lief Ben Overdahl
Jan 22, 1957
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Larry Leland Frost
Sep 9, 1977
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Craig Alan Nollmeyer
Jan 24, 1985
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Larry W. Walker
Oct 25, 1986
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William Francis Lowry
Aug 28, 1997
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James Gordon Lewis
Apr 27, 2004
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Reginald Jake Gutierrez
Nov 30, 2016
Military Service
William Francis Lowry served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Francis Lowry’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 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Tacoma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
