Lawrence George Gowens

Alamance County Sheriff's Office — Graham, NC

Felonious

End of Watch July 31, 1936

Age 49

The Vigil Panel 72 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Lawrence Gowens was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance two doors away from the jail in Graham. Deputy Gowens, who also served as the county jailer, heard a woman's screams when her husband shot her in the arm. He ran to the home and confronted the suspect, who shot him with a shotgun. Deputy Gowens was taken to Rainey Hospital where he died 90 minutes later. The subject was convicted of Deputy Gowens' murder and sent to prison. He was later released and has since died.

Survivors

Deputy Gowens was survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

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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 Gowens served with the Alamance County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Graham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gowens.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Alamance County Sheriff's Office

Location Graham, NC

Platform Identity acso.alamance.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 31, 1936

Age 49

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Deceased

Deputy Sheriff Lawrence George Gowens 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Alamance County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Alamance County Sheriff's Office

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious