Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant James Cowart was shot and killed by a former deputy sheriff he had arrested five years earlier. He was at home when the subject knocked on his door at 6:30 a.m. When he answered it, the subject, standing in the yard, fired multiple shots through the glass-enclosed porch, striking Sergeant Cowart in the stomach. Arriving officers found the subject fatally wounded after his shotgun accidentally discharged as he attempted to dismantle it. Sergeant Cowart had served with the Des Moines Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-2C1FBBB9- 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 James. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Cowart gave the Des Moines Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Joshua Cowart served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant James Joshua 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Des Moines Police Department, 16 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Joshua Cowart's cause is highlighted.
How James Joshua Cowart Compares
Offender Outcome
Accidentally killed himself
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Joshua Cowart is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Joshua Cowart was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
