Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Cowart was shot and killed during a traffic stop. During the stop he had requested backup and when other units arrived they found him in his patrol car suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A suspect was arrested and sentenced to death but had the sentence commuted to life when the US Supreme Court found the death sentence to be unconstitutional and he was released after only ten years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-2D1682CB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Billy. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Cowart served with the Decatur Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Cowart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Billy E. Cowart is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Decatur Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Billy E. Cowart's cause is highlighted.
How Billy E. Cowart Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentence commuted to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Billy E. Cowart is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Billy E. Cowart was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
