Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frank Sowell was shot and killed following a car chase on US 521 approximately seven miles north of Lancaster. He and his partner had observed a suspicious vehicle sitting under a light at Main Street and Chesterfield Avenue at 1:30 am. When Patrolman Sowell's partner approached the vehicle and attempted to open the door it sped off. After several miles of pursuing the vehicle, it struck another car and ran off the road. As Patrolman Sowell approached it he was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun. The suspect fled but was later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison, where died in his 80s. The suspect had earlier escaped from the Caledonia Prison Farm in North Carolina while imprisoned for murder.
Survivors
Patrolman Sowell was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-ADA8247E- 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 B.. 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.
Patrolman Sowell served with the Lancaster Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lancaster community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sowell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman B. Frank Sowell 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lancaster Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. B. Frank Sowell's cause is highlighted.
How B. Frank Sowell Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. B. Frank Sowell is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. B. Frank Sowell was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lancaster Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
