Fullerton : Citizen Who Helped Find Shooting Suspect Praised

Fullerton resident Sterling Bowes, owner of two mean-looking shepherd dogs and a believer in local crime watch groups, was on his way to a neighbor’s house earlier this month when he heard several shots.

“I’m standing in the middle of a street holding a weed-eater when I see this guy running . . . holding a pistol,” Bowes said.

Nearby, police officer John King was lying in an alley. Bullet fragments had penetrated the side of his face.

Today King, 26, will be on hand to greet Bowes at the Fullerton City Council meeting, when the city will honor Bowes, who memorized the license plate of the getaway car and helped police track down Charles B. Henderson, 36, of Bakersfield, who was later charged with attempted murder of a police officer and two counts of robbery.

King, who has recovered, was shot while chasing the robbery suspect from a restaurant in the area of Orangethorpe Avenue and Brookhurst Street on April 1.

Police Chief Martin Hairabedian commended Bowes for his participation and wrote him a letter of commendation, saying, “It is people like you who help to make Fullerton such a great place to live.”

But despite all the accolades from the city and police, Bowes said, “I’m not a hero. I have never played that out and I never will. I’m just a concerned citizen.”

The retired rubber worker, who turned 58 Sunday, said he had not considered possible danger to himself at the time. But later, he said, “I began to think that sucker could have shot me.”

The father of four, grandfather of three and stepgrandfather of one said he doesn’t regret getting involved. But don’t make a big deal out of what he did, he asked a reporter, “because I think every citizen would do the same.”