United States of America
Headstone of Len Jered Rowell
U.S. Marine Corps · United States United States

Len Jered Rowell

Died June 28, 1994

Len Jered Rowell served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 2 years and 6 months. Len served during the years of the Cold War and Gulf War.

How He Died
Manner Homicide
Cause Gunshot wound
Mechanism Firearm
What Happened

Deputy Sheriff Len Rowell was shot and killed by the suspect who had shot and killed Greenville, Alabama, Officer Gary Heath on June 14, 1994. Deputy Rowell had pulled the suspect over at 3:45 am and called in the tag number. Dispatchers came back with nothing on the tag number. As he approached the car, the suspect exited the vehicle shooting. Deputy Rowell was struck six times in the vest and once in the shoulder as he reached for his weapon. He fell to the ground unconscious and was then shot twice in the face. After the suspect murdered Deputy Rowell he was stopped by Lieutenant Coy Smith, of the Alabama Public Safety Commission. As he sat in his patrol car calling in the tag number the suspect shot him in the head, killing him. The suspect committed suicide after being surrounded by federal agents later in the day. Deputy Rowell had served with the Pearl River County Sheriff's Department for eighteen months. He had also served as a US Marine in Operation Desert Storm.

Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
Media
Len Jered Rowell
Len Jered Rowell 0 views
Service Record
U.S. Marine Corps
1989 – 1989
U.S. Marine Corps
1990 – 1991
Also Served
Pearl River County Sheriff's Department
Deputy Sheriff
Memorials
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Panel 13-E · Line 19 cut as LEN J ROWELL
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtqvcxrjxhdjyrd0xx5zx
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
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Last updated August 2, 2026

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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.

Deputy Sheriff Rowell gave the Pearl River County Sheriff's Department 1 year.

Thank you for your service to the Poplarville community, and 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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