Curtis D. Sowers served in the U.S. Army.
Patrolman Curtis Sowers was shot and killed as he and other area law enforcement officers attempted to arrest a man wanted for stealing two calves.
An arrest warrant had been issued for the man six months earlier, but the man fled to Virginia to avoid arrest. The suspect eventually returned to York County and threatened to kill anyone who attempted to arrest him.
A local constable received information that the man was at his father's home in the Bald Hills area of York County. When the officers arrived, Patrolman Sowers covered the back door as the other officers went to the front door. When they knocked on the door, the man attempted to flee out the back but was confronted by Patrolman Sowers. The man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Patrolman Sowers in the face and killing him instantly.
The subject escaped but was arrested five days later by state troopers when he returned to the house in an attempt to get food. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life at hard labor. He was paroled in 1940 and returned to Eastern Penitentiary in 1950 for violating his parole. He applied for a parole in 1957.
Patrolman Sowers was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI. He had served with the North York Police Department for just under two years.
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In tribute
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.
Patrolman Sowers gave the North York Borough Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the North York community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
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