Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Rowe was killed when he was intentionally struck by a tractor-trailer on I-75 just north of the Florida state line. Florida officers began chasing the semi-truck across after it failed to stop at a weigh station. The driver of the truck fired at pursuing inspectors from the Florida Department of Agriculture. The pursuit crossed the state line into Georgia where Deputy Rowe and other deputies were waiting to join the pursuit. The driver of the truck intentionally struck Deputy Rowe and his patrol car in the median of the highway. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to 60 years but was released on parole after serving only 11 years.
Survivors
Deputy Rowe was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-B801A084- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Rowe gave the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Valdosta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Rowe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Hall Rowe, Jr. 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 Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Hall Rowe, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Hall Rowe, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Released after 6 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hall Rowe, Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hall Rowe, Jr. was killed by automobile; commercial.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lowndes County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
