SYRACUSE -- On a Tuesday afternoon, Syracuse Police Deputy Chief Frank Fowler, was on his way to visit a city youth camp when he saw a young man walking across Oakwood Avenue. His right arm was rigid, hand hidden behind his leg, and he wore an all too familiar facial expression for a veteran police officer to ignore. Simply put, the young man had the look of a shooter.
As a gray car passed Chief Fowler, the young man raised his arm and began firing a gun at the vehicle. As Fowler chased after the suspect with his patrol car, he observed him trying to heave the gun over a nearby fence.The gun didn’t clear the fence and bounced to the ground. Knowing the weapon could be picked up by someone and cause additional harm, Fowler retrieved the weapon and then went after the suspect. As the suspect turned and tried to flee, Fowler drew his weapon and ordered him to stop. Fowler was able to successfully make the arrest.
Though being in the right place at the right time certainly helped apprehend the suspect, Fowler is also credited with being alert and aware of a dangerous situation.
