Roger Franklin Cowley, a 63-year-old white male from Texarkana, Texas, tragically lost his life on October 24, 2021. He was fatally shot in a wooded area behind a residence on Horseshoe Loop Road in Bowie County. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. that day, and Cowley was found alongside another individual who sustained serious, life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, Thomas Wayne Lawson Sr., a 51-year-old white male from Atlanta, Texas, was arrested at the scene.
Lawson was found still armed with a rifle and confessed to deputies that he had shot both Cowley and the other victim. He was charged with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a controlled substance under one gram. Lawson's bond was set at $1,000,000 for the murder charge, $300,000 for the aggravated assault charge, and $5,000 for the possession charge.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities are still investigating how the incident occurred and Lawson's connection to the victims. The case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Roger Franklin Cowley is remembered by his family and friends as a beloved member of the community. He is survived by his mother, Loveta Crawford Cowley, his son Ashley Hazelwood, and numerous other relatives and friends. A graveside service was held in his honor on October 31, 2021, at Center Ridge Cemetery in Maud, Texas.
The investigation into Roger Franklin Cowley's death continues, and the legal proceedings against Thomas Wayne Lawson Sr. are ongoing.
