In the small town of Union Point, Georgia, a routine arrest turned into a tragedy that would forever mark the community. On May 16, 1979, Patrolman Thomas Rowry Jr., a dedicated officer with the Union Point Police Department, was tragically shot and killed inside the very building meant to represent law and order, the City Hall. The male officer's life was cut short while he was assisting a fellow officer in locking up a suspect who had been arrested for drunk driving.
The events of that
fateful day unfolded with a sudden and shocking violence. As the suspect was being secured, he managed to overpower one of the officers and gain control of his service weapon. In the ensuing struggle, the assailant fired the gun, striking both officers. Patrolman Rowry sustained a fatal wound in the chaos. His colleague was also shot but survived. The shooter then fled the scene, stealing a patrol car that was parked outside the city hall to make his escape.
The perpetrator was later apprehended and faced the full force of the law for his violent actions. In his initial trial, he was found guilty of the murder of Patrolman Thomas Rowry Jr. and was sentenced to death. However, the legal journey did not end there. In a subsequent second trial, the verdict was overturned, and the man was acquitted of the murder charge. He was, however, found guilty of vehicle theft for stealing the patrol car during his escape. Patrolman Rowry was survived by his wife and a young child, his dedicated service to the community leaving a lasting and honored memory.
