Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This reflection is to let all of the living and the past officers know something. You have people in the public that love and respect you. I am from a family of police officers and my little brother has chosen his path now as a full time officer in Ohio. I have chosen the less exciting path of Loss Prevention Managment. Although I am not one of you, I feel from my genes that I am. I love and respect you officers and thank God that you answered your calling. May God eternally bless and protect you.

Chad Smith
None

February 15, 2008

YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE. YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THOSE THAT LOVE YOU.

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 10, 2008

The anniversary of your death is nearing and it will bring tears and memories of the day you made the ulimate sacrifice. Your death affected everyone in blue and we miss what you brought to our department. Stay Safe and Take care of the other fallen heroes including your partner.

Love your sister in blue

Police Officer
DPD

February 6, 2008

I REMEMBER UR EOW LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. IT WAS MY FIRST WEEK IN THE POLICE ACADEMY. MY HEART AND MIND WAS RACING BECAUSE I KNEW THAT MANY ARE CALLED AND FEW ARE CHOSEN. IT WAS HARD FOR ME KNOWING THAT TWO OF MY OWN WERE TAKEN IN SUCH A HORRIBLE WAY, BUT THEN I REMEMBERED THAT GOD DOES THINGS ON HIS OWN TIME. THANK YOU FOR THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE THAT I HAVE FOR YOU AND OFFICER FETTIG. MAY YOU WALK THE GOLDEN STREETS OF HEAVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.

RHINOS WIFE #3044
WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY

January 31, 2008

miss ya, bro...

Sgt. J.J.
Detroit PD

January 14, 2008

Matt,
Thanks for all good times of working together at Parks n Rec. I miss your smile and the blue Slurpees we'd share. Maybe one day we can share another one.

Sarah Varian
Friend

January 14, 2008

Although this is my first written reflection I have come to this page many times and have had many self reflectons.
Everytime I put my uniform on I think of you and the morning hours when I received the phone call you were shot. I remember J. Sko calling me in disaray not knowing all the details, I remember calling your parents to let them know, I remember walking in their house seeing your dad and not knowing how to tell what I knew. I remember seeing you at the hospital laying on the stretcher under a white sheet that was starting to become spoted with blood. I remember the last time I saw you making sure you had your cap shield. I remember our last words.

You are my friend and I truely miss you.

Simeon
Detroit Police Department Friend and Co-worker

December 13, 2007

I just wanted to take a moment to say Thank-you for your service. You are truly a hero. May God keep you close and watch over your family.

Deputy Shevock
Jackson County Sheriff's Office

November 25, 2007

Ia, very sadden by this lose and im truely sorry for the lose that there familys are feelingright now i think of matt everyday he will be be forever missed

Lisa H Hall
Freind oF his and Wife

November 20, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 13, 2007

Matt... I remember when I was a senior at LPHS...and you came into the school to show everyone about your job with DPD. You walked in there so proud...and that day is when I first started thinking about working in law enforcement. Thank you so much for the sacrifice you made. You will never know how much of an impact you had on many lives....including mine. See ya brother!

Ofc. S. Winterholler
Melvindale Police Dept

October 30, 2007

Love you bro! The hole in my heart just won't ever go away. I'd trade it all just to have you back. Give mom a hug for me....

Jason

October 27, 2007

Matt,


You have and never will be forgotten. I think of you still, and tell the story of the talk we had that night you were murdered. Remember in the garage just before on duty RollCall. You just returned that night from furlough, and i was just leaving to start my (S/8). We talked about taking that motorcycle trip to chicago IL.

Well guess well have to take that trip when we meet again. Please continue to keep an eye on us down here, and watch our back as you always did.

P.O. Jimmy Markham #785
Detroit P.D. Worked same prct.#4

September 19, 2007

MAN I REMEMBER MEETING YOU COMING TO #4 AS A ROOKIE. I REMEMBER ASKING PEOPLE ABOUT YOU CAUSE I FELT LIKE WE DIDNT SEE I TO I, SINCE I WANTED TO DATE THE GIRL YOU WERE DATING FROM THE RESTAURANT. BUT AS TIME WENT ON I REALIZED THAT YOU WERE A WORKING COP AND WE WERE BOTH ON A GREAT MIDNIGHT SHIFT TOGETHER. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD AS A SHIFT.WHEN I THINK ABOUT YOU I REALIZE HOW GREATFUL I AM. MY CURRENT PARTNER AND I RIGHT NOW CARRY THE DISTRICT IN GUN ARREST AND EVERYNIGHT WHEN WE GET ONE I THINK THIS COULD OF BEEN THE ONE THAT ENDED BAD. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICES YOU DID MAN, BECAUSE OF YOU AND JEN AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES IM A BETTER COP AND AM MORE AWARE THEN EVER. ONLY ABOUT 5% OF COPS ARE LIKE ME AND MY PARTNER MAN AND ONLY ABOUT %5 OF COPS ARE LIKE HOW YOU USED TO BE. THEY JUST DONT HAVE THE GUTS MATT. IM SORRY FOR THE PAIN YOU FELT THATNIGHT...YOU AND JENN SEEING THAT SHE WAS A FRIEND I WAS IN THE ACADEMY WITH. I MISS BOTH OF YOU GUYS ALOT AND WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU GUYS I WOULD NOT BE THE COP, PARENT, HUSBAND AND PARTNER THAT I AM TODAY. GOT TO GO.THANKS



TK

PO TK
DPD

August 31, 2007

Not a day goes by.....

I miss ya bro!!!

Love,

Jason

July 27, 2007

I never got to meet you personally, but after reading these reflections I feel as though we've met before. Matt, it takes a very strong individual to do the job you did. Just last year I lost a friend in the line of duty - Jason Makowski of the Dearborn Heights Police Department. I remember seeing you father at his funeral, he was speaking about how no body really understands the pain we feel - HE WAS SO RIGHT! I hope he knows that he has so much support for that bill he trying to get passed - I SIGNED IT and so should everybody else.

Rest easy, you sacrifice will never be forgotten and you wil forever be in my prayers.

April 22, 2007

Wanted to stop in and leave a reflection to let you know that you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones. I came across an old Jewish Proverb the other day and it said, "The only truly dead are those that have been forgotten." You will never be forgotten and your name live on forever on the many memorials where it appears for the hero you are.

Bob Gordon
Father of Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 18, 2007

"A GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN HE WHO LAYS HIS LIFE DOWN FOR A FRIEND" GOD BLESS YOU OFFICER BOWENS.

April 15, 2007

Will be at Police Week again this year to honor you and all of your brothers, my dad included, who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Valarie Bell Wright

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter Ptl. William B. Bell, Eow 11-19-02

April 15, 2007

21, way to young to die.
Rest in peace brother.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (IN)

April 10, 2007

Been thinking about you and mom a lot lately. I miss you both so much.

Love ya bro,

Jason

April 9, 2007

stoppin' by to see your smile...

Sgt. J.J.

Sgt. J.J.
Detroit P.D.

March 14, 2007

Matt-It was an honor to be your friend and co-worker. Miss you.

Sarah
friend

February 16, 2007

Matt, your killer may have escaped the death penalty in this life, but he will surely face justice in the next.

On this third anniversary of your murder, our family wanted to take the time to thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice.

God bless you Officer Bowens; you are not forgotten -- rest in peace.

Family of Officer Clifton Miller
Rossford, Ohio P.D., EOW 05/14/1966

February 16, 2007

You are not forgotten Matt. Sending prayers from our police family to yours...Rest Peacefully Officer Bowens.

Sterling Heights PD

February 16, 2007