Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Fowler was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man on a larceny warrant. The man initially fled in his vehicle with Deputy Fowler in pursuit. However, the man's car ran out of gas and was forced to stop. As Deputy Fowler approached the car he was shot three times. He was taken to a hospital where he died the following night.
The 22-year-old suspect was arrested two weeks later near Broken Arrow and charged with murder. On January 2, 1932, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He died in prison on October 26, 1933.
Deputy Fowler had served with the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office for nine months and was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Fowler had served with the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office for nine months and was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-83124552- 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 John. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Fowler served with the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Ada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fowler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Howard Fowler 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Howard Fowler's cause is highlighted.
How John Howard Fowler Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Howard Fowler is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Howard Fowler was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
