Montco Detective Completes National FBI Program

     Congratulations go out to Montgomery County Detective Lieutenant James F. McGowan who has graduated from the 258th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy.
     "Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., provides 11 weeks of advanced investigative, management and fitness training for selected command officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies," county District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said in a press release announcining McGowan's accommplishment. "Only one-half of one percent of all law enforcement officers gets the opportunity to attend the National Academy."
     McGowan has served with the county district attorney's office since 2000 and currently leads the homicide unit in the detective bureau. McGowan began his law enforcement career with the Hatfield Township Police Department in 1987 and served in both the patrol and detective divisions. McGowan, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees in criminal justice from DeSales University, left the Hatfield department in 2000 to join the county detective bureau.


Montgomery County Detective Lieutenant James McGowan
Photo courtesy Montco DA's Office

     During his career, McGowan has been involved in numerous high-profile criminal investigations.
     Last year, McGowan was one of several detectives who received commendations from Ferman for his role in one of the most high-profile Montgomery County investigations in recent memory. The county’s homicide unit was honored for successfully prosecuting a man who illegally sold a gun to another who used it to kill Plymouth Police Officer Bradley Fox, of New Hanover. McGowan received a commendation from Ferman in recognition of his "outstanding investigation, prosecution and conviction” of Michael Joseph Henry, who confessed to the “straw purchase” of nine guns, one of which was used to kill Fox in September 2012.
     McGowan also was involved in the successful prosecution of four men, who were convicted either of first-, second-. or third-degree murder, for their roles in the 2 p.m. May 5, 2013, home invasion robbery in West Pottsgrove that ended in the gunshot slaying of 19-year-old Kareem Ali Borowy on a Lower Pottsgrove roadway. Three of the men are serving life prison sentences.
     McGowan also currently is an adjunct professor with the Montgomery County Community College and DeSales University, in Center Valley, Pa.
     The 258th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and woman from 49 states. Included in the class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 26 international countries, three military oganizations  and four federal civilian organizations, according to Ferman.
     Kudos to McGowan on his latest accomplishment!