On a late afternoon in Gallup, New Mexico, on June 1, 1937, Special Agent Truett E. Rowe, a 33-year-old White male, met an untimely and violent end. Rowe, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was in the process of apprehending a fugitive named Guy Osborne at his brother's ranch. Osborne was a known criminal, wanted for escaping from a county jail in Eufala, Oklahoma, on April 22, 1937, and also faced charges for motor vehicle theft in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Alongside the
local police chief, Special Agent Rowe had successfully located Osborne. As Osborne was gathering some of his belongings, the situation took a grim turn. He unexpectedly drew a concealed revolver and fired at Rowe. The police chief attempted to retaliate and shoot Osborne, but his own weapon misfired, allowing the fugitive to escape the immediate scene. Special Agent Rowe was rushed to the hospital by the police chief but succumbed to his injuries en route.
The escape of Guy Osborne was short-lived. That very evening, a determined effort by the Gallup police chief and another officer resulted in his recapture. Following his arrest, Osborne was put on trial in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the murder of Special Agent Truett E. Rowe. The court found him guilty of first-degree murder. On October 5, 1937, Guy Osborne was sentenced to life in prison for his crime and was subsequently sent to the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, the following day to begin his sentence. Special Agent Rowe was remembered by the FBI for his dedication and bravery in the line of duty.
