Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Bowman was shot and killed by two men while investigating the theft of chickens.
Two bags of chickens had been located behind a church in Greene Township and Deputy Bowman was notified. He concealed himself nearby and waited for the suspects to appear.
As he heard them approach he stood up to arrest them but they suddenly opened fire on him, killing him.
Both men were arrested and convicted of his murder. One of the men later escaped from prison but was arrested several months later.
Deputy Bowman had served with the Guilford County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Your heroism and service is honored today, the 85th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Rest In Peace.
Phyllis Loya
Phyllis Loya Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05 February 24th, 2012
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NC-2915A6CC- 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 Bowman gave the Guilford County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greensboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bowman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William T. Bowman 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 Guilford County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William T. Bowman's cause is highlighted.
How William T. Bowman Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 12 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William T. Bowman is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William T. Bowman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Guilford County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
