Corporal Bowe was shot and killed early in the morning while assisting county deputies respond to a shooting call. He and three deputies parked their cruisers and walked approximately 3/4 of a mile into the secluded house where they spotted a car with the suspect lying across the front seats with his feet hanging out. As they were approaching the vehicle the suspect sat up and began firing, striking Corporal Bowe in the chin from about 35 yards away. He died at about 0200 hours, approximately one hour after the shooting. The three other deputies with him returned fire. An autopsy revealed that the man took his own life.

Corporal Bowe had been with the agency for 15 years and was survived by his wife, 6 year old daughter, and 9-month-old son.