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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
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fredrich is the only officer of Burleson County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Fredrich is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Fredrich is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fredrich is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Fredrich was 31. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Fredrich had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Fredrich was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Fredrich had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fredrich was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fredrich had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Burleson County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle; .308 caliber, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .308 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .308 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .308 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Burleson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.