Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Thomas Rowry, Jr.

Union Point Police Department — Union Point, GA

Felonious

End of Watch May 16, 1979

Age 27

Badge M-732-A

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Thomas Rowry was shot and killed by a drunk driving suspect inside the Union Point City Hall. The man overpowered another officer who was locking him up and gained control of his weapon. The subject then shot both officers, killing Patrolman Rowry. The man then stole a patrol car that was parked in front of city hall during his escape. The man was arrested and sentenced to death for the murder. However, he received a second trial where he was found not guilty of murder but guilty of vehicle theft for stealing the patrol car.

Survivors

Patrolman Rowry was survived by his wife and small child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-GA-CE0D9083
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.
Patrolman Rowry served with the Union Point Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Union Point community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rowry.

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

Agency

Department Union Point Police Department

Location Union Point, GA

Platform Identity uppd.greene.ga.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 16, 1979

Age 27

Badge Number M-732-A

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Acquitted at second trial

Patrolman Thomas Rowry, 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%.

Union Point Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

GA — Statewide

548

of 903 officers

60.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Rowry, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Thomas Rowry, Jr. Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted at second trial

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Rowry, Jr. is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Rowry, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518