Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff James McGowan was shot and killed while questioning a suspicious person during a traffic stop with another officer approximately six miles outside of Ozark.
The suspect, who was intoxicated and causing a disturbance, had approached an off-duty Ozark police officer at a polling place in Asbury after seeing the officer's badge. The suspect had asked the officer "are you here to arrest me?" and the officer replied "no." When the officer arrived back to Ozark he notified the sheriff of the individual, who then ordered Deputy McGowan to accompany the officer to arrest the suspect for public drunkenness.
Deputy McGowan and the officer spotted the suspect in his vehicle and pulled him over outside of Ozark. As Deputy McGowan notified the suspect he was under arrest the man shot him in the head with a gun he had concealed, killing him and striking the second officer in the crown of his police hat. The second officer returned fire, striking the suspect five times. The man managed to escape in his vehicle after running over Deputy McGowan. He drove near Skipperville where he was forced to abandon the vehicle due to his wounds. The suspect forced his way into a home where he passed out on a bed and was captured by a posse shortly thereafter.
The suspect, who was from Washington, Georgia, told officers during questioning his reason for being in the area was to deliver moonshine to Albany, Georgia. He was involved in a shootout with the sheriff of the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, who was chasing him. The story was later debunked during the investigation and the suspect was charged with first-degree murder. In September 1925, after several days of deliberating, the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict. The suspect made a $5,500 bond and left for his home in Georgia.
Deputy Sheriff McGowan had served with the Dale County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-CF5CF2DB- Stewardship
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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 McGowan gave the Dale County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ozark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff McGowan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Early McGowan 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dale County Sheriff's Dept., 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Early McGowan's cause is highlighted.
How James Early McGowan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Early McGowan is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Dale County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
