Holly MatkinOklahoma City, OK – Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler died in the line of duty on Feb. 19 due to injuries he suffered after falling in the jail parking lot during an ice storm weeks earlier.
The 52-year-old detention officer was found lying in the parking lot of the Pontotoc County Justice Center between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Jan. 30, The Express-Star reported.
According to his daughter, Audrey Cox, Detention Officer Fowler had apparently slipped during an ice storm that took place that day and hit his head when he fell, leaving him with a skull fracture, a subdural hematoma, and a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
He was also suffering from hypothermia, KXII reported.
It is unclear how long he was lying out on the ground before he was found.
Detention Officer Fowler was placed in a medically-induced coma and remained hospitalized until his death on Feb. 19.
“This morning we got a call,” Cox told The Express-Star that day. “And unfortunately, it was not a good call. We went to the hospital [in Oklahoma City], where they told us that what they think happened is he had a blood clot in his brain, and it just kind of won.”
Cox said she and her family are extremely thankful for the support the community provided since her father’s injuries occurred.
“Our community has been so supportive of everything,” she told The Express-Star.
The PCSO confirmed Detention Officer Fowler’s death in a press release on Monday.
“Kenneth was a good natured, hardworking, and humorous person. Kenneth will truly be missed by all,” the sheriff’s office said. “Please keep Kenneth Fowler’s family, friends, and the staff of both the Pontotoc County Justice Center and Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office in your prayers.”
Detention Officer Fowler joined the PCSO in April of 2018 and was most recently tasked with overseeing facility maintenance for the justice center.
In addition to his daughter, Detention Officer Fowler leaves behind his wife, Tanya, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his mother, siblings, and two grandchildren.
Detention Officer Fowler will be laid to rest on Feb. 22.
🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma
EOW: Sunday, February 19, 2023#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/SFzdU9iTxB
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) February 21, 2023
Honoring Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Office Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler, died February 19, 2023, from injuries he sustained after slipping on the ice in the parking lot of the Pontotoc County Justice Center on January 31, 2023. Honor him so he is not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/VVguBPRb8D
— Steve Wightman (@stevewightman1) February 21, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
