Roll of Honor
Fredrich Adam Sowders
Incident
Sergeant Investigator Adam Sowders was shot and killed as he and seven other officers attempted to serve a no-knock warrant at a rural home on County Road 278, near Snook, at approximately 5:30 am.
As the team made entry into the home, they were met with gunfire from a .308 caliber rifle, and Sergeant Sowders suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
The subject who shot him was initially charged with capital murder, but a Grand Jury returned a no bill on the charges based on the suspect's self-defense claims. The grand jury indicted the man on felony possession of marijuana while in possession of a deadly weapon, and in April 2017, he was sentenced to 19 months on the drug charges.
Sergeant Sowders had served with the Burleson County Sheriff's Office for seven years and had previously served with the Somerville Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, three brothers, nieces and nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-30DF4716- 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.
Sergeant Investigator Sowders gave the Burleson County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Caldwell community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Investigator Sowders.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Investigator Fredrich Adam Sowders 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fredrich Adam Sowders's cause is highlighted.
How Fredrich Adam Sowders Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 19 months
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fredrich Adam Sowders is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fredrich Adam Sowders was killed by rifle; .308 caliber.