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Incident
Lieutenant Cowart was shot and killed during a traffic stop. During the stop he had requested backup and when other units arrived they found him in his patrol car suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A suspect was arrested and sentenced to death but had the sentence commuted to life when the US Supreme Court found the death sentence to be unconstitutional and he was released after only ten years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Cowart served with the Decatur Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Cowart.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Decatur Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Billy is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Billy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Billy 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 1971, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Decatur Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Decatur Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Billy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.