More than two decades in the making, the memory of a fallen law enforcement officer was recognized Thursday when a section of the southbound lane of Interstate 59 near mile marker 35 was officially named in his honor.
The ceremony was attended by current and former law enforcement officers from around the area.
On June 28, 1994 deputy Len J. Rowell was shot and killed by a suspect during a traffic stop. Thursday, a sign was unveiled that will forever honor his memory.
Rowell began his career as a Marine in the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1989. He was deployed to serve in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and upon returning home in 1992 completed his criminal justice degree at USM.
He began his law enforcement career with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department in Dec. 1992, and later married his high school sweetheart, Gay Cowart on April 30, 1994.
According to the program handed out during the service, Rowell fell in the line of duty as he approached a vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 59 less than two months after his wedding day.
As Rowell walked toward the vehicle, the suspect stepped out of the vehicle armed with a gun and shot him six times in the vest, causing Rowell to fall to the ground. The fatal shot was delivered after Rowell fell unconscious to the ground.
Now, almost 21 years later, Senator Angela Hill was able to work with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to have a section of the interstate where Rowell made the ultimate sacrifice named in his honor.
Several dignitaries made comments during the ceremony, held at Pearl River Community College. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves thanked Hill for leading the charge to have the memory of Rowell memorialized.
He added that despite the challenges people face in this country, the United States is still the best country in the world due to the sacrifices men and women like Rowell make every day as their serve their country and community.
Danny Joe Slade, with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, described Rowell as the most fearless child of all of his siblings and a master at dealing with all sorts of people. Slade said Rowell completed more items on his bucket list than most other people will in their lifetime.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise spoke about his relationship with the Rowell family. Necaise said he considers Gay as his best friend since grade school. When the couple married, Necaise said he came to know Rowell well.
“I confided and depended on Gay because she was always level headed,” Necaise said.
He compared the day Rowell passed to the terrorist attacks of 9-11. Just as he remembered where he was and what he was doing on the day the twin towers fell, he recalls hearing about Rowell’s passing.
“I saw my best friend’s neighboring tower fall while she had to remain there standing,” Necaise said.
But more than 20 years later Gay has rebuilt her life, she is remarried and has two beautiful daughters, Necaise said. Doug Rowell who is the Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for PRCC and Len Rowell’s first cousin, spoke on behalf of the family. He said the decision to seek a career in law enforcement is similar to deciding to join the ministry, it’s a calling. Len Rowell served with honor and valor until the day he died. Since everyone knows everyone in Pearl River County, Len’s death was devastating to the community, Doug Rowell said.
“On that day Len Rowell was promoted to guardian angel,” Doug Rowell said.
Doug hopes that everyone who sees the sign along I-59 will remember Len Rowell’s service to his community.
Southern Transportation District Commissioner Tom King also spoke at the ceremony, saying that all men and women who serve should receive the public’s gratitude because as soon as they put on their uniform they become targets.