Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Matthew we all still miss you and have not forgotten about your ultimate sacriface. I'm proud to have served in the same department as you.

PO Patrick Saunders
Detroit

February 15, 2005

Matt,
Well its to believe its been a year. I remember all the good things about you Lil Bowens. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I really do miss all the times you would call me in the night while on your shift. You had that thing about you that put a smile on anyones face. I know you did that to me numerous times. I know I told you over and over again how I loved when you and Jason would come in and eat at my work. Or even all those times you would stop in and talk. I still have a chuckle when someone orders a Jager Bomb at the bar. You sure did love those things. Thank you for being a friend and also teaching how to play darts. You always be in my heart and on my mind. Take care of your mom and watch over the rest of your family. Love ya and miss ya

JLR

February 14, 2005

Thinking of you (and your mom!) and remembering you and your family in our prayers as the one year anniversary of your death approaches. God bless; rest peacefully. You have done your job well and your services will forever be appreciated. Never forgotten.

Up North Michigan

February 14, 2005

Matt,
It has been almost been a year since that dreadful night, I remember you coming into the garage from your furlough and on your way to roll call as I was leaving to start mine, we talked briefly about taking a motorcycle trip later in the year, but our conversation was cut short, we went our ways and said "see ya later". Well just wanted to say that I think of you guys often and I'll continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Rest in peace my friend, until we meet again remember "see ya later".

P.O. James Markham
Detroit P.D. 4th pct

February 8, 2005

To Matt and Jen, as almost one year has passed since you guys fell just remember that we salute you. To the families of Matt and Jen, God Bless you and comfort you....

J.Figurski
DPD #12

February 1, 2005

Hey Matt, it's approaching almost a year, we never met, but I will serve your city well in the near future when I graduate this spring hopefully I'll follow your path. You're not forgotten. Rest in peace brother.

Nathan
Future DPD

January 31, 2005

my heart goes out to the family of this young officer. my fiancee was killed just before he turned 21. it is heart-wrenching that these boys are so young but pay the ultimate price. please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be.

Fiancee of P.O. Cole Martin E.O.W. 4/25/03

Jessi Garger

January 18, 2005

Matt- Well it has almost been a year since you and Jen were taken from us. I want you to know that I still think about you all the time. I have so much to say to you that I never had the chance to say. I remember your first day at #4. Working with Carl.. you were just so happy and full of energy. I can still picture you sitting with Carl with a huge smile on your face. Carl was teaching you how to do your PCR's. But you were still having fun! You made the best of everyday you worked. You had some really great friends on midnights and worked with some of the best.. and Matt you were one of the best. You made some great lock-ups and you were always brave. I hope you and Jen are having a blast patroling up in the clouds.. at least it is safer and you have your mother looking after you. Until we met again.. watch over your brothers and sisters in blue... your father and brothers.. and Matt as long as I am down here, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

P.O. M. Dennett
former DPD pct #4

January 4, 2005

Merry Christmas Matt and Mom. It is a rough today not having you two here to open presents and have dinner with. I ask you two for help to get us through this day and many more. We miss you two so much. I will talk to you soon you two stay out of trouble and watch over us here.

Love your brother and son

James II

December 25, 2004

Merry Christmas From Heaven

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on a cold wintry nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I"ll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in His grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don"t have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I"m still close beside you
in a new special way

I love you all dearly
now don"t shed a tear
cause I"m spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year

Poem by John Wm. Mooney Jr.

*** Mr. Bowens, this has been an extremely tragic and difficult year for you. Tonight I will light a candle at church, asking God to grant you peace and comfort. You grieve not alone. My prayer is peace for you. God bless you.

Michigan

December 18, 2004

My deepest sympathy to your family. I hope the Blue Family comprised of your fellow officers is helping to look after the Bowens family. You are a True Hero and will never be forgotten by the Family Blue. May God watch over your family. At your next roll call in Heaven, please say hi to my son and tell him I miss and love him as I know your Dad has the same message for you.

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

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief, Retired
Riverside PD, Illinois

December 14, 2004

The jury convicted the shooter yesterday! Our hearts and thoughts continue to be with your family during this difficult time. Your dad's been struggling lately since losing you and your mom in the same year, and with the disturbing trial in the last several days.

I wear your dad's 'Bowens-Fettig' law t-shirt under my vest a couple times a week as a reminder.....Like him, I support the 'Bowens-Fettig' law in Michigan which could subject cop-killers to the death penalty. I'm proud to wear the t-shirt I bought from him.

Salute

December 14, 2004

As I come out of the Police Academy and into the world of violence that awaits me, I will never forget you Officer Bowens. Though I have never met you, I will always keep you in my memory and I will serve my watch in your honor. Your work here is done and now please keep watch over us as we protect the ones that still remain.

Timothy Woodward
Schoolcraft Police Academy

December 11, 2004

I never met you, dont know your family but as a outstander can see the pain in their faces and the grief they have truly suffered over the past 10 months. I know you are sitting in that courtroom through the trial keeping them strong and standing by their sides as they watch tv, sleep and fight until justice is served. Even if a life sentence is given to that monster your family ultimatly is serving the life sentence until they are with you again.

December 7, 2004

What can you say about a young man who was gunned down in the line of duty except to say that he is truly a hero. Being a police officer in one of the most dangerous cities in America is no easy task. Thank-you Officer Bowens for answering the call to duty. Our hearts go out to your family and rest assured that you will never be forgotten.

Future Police Officer

December 7, 2004

Thank you for your years of service.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Nicole, Dispatcher
Canfield, OH

December 5, 2004

Thinking of you this Thanksgiving...
...as always

November 25, 2004

Matt,

I'm sure that you were there at the gates to welcome your Mother with open arms.

November 11, 2004

Officer Bowens, it is my understanding that you got to meet your mother in Heaven. I am sorry for your families loss of this fine woman. I hope you two are together and you both can provide peace, love and support to your family...they need all the love and support you can give them!

November 8, 2004

Dear Officer Bowens,

You are in our prayers. May your wings fly you high. Now you can release the surly bonds of earth and reach out and touch the face of God. Thank you for your protection, love and care for your fellow man. We will carry on down here and pray for your loved ones that they can get through this terrible tragedy and get on with their lives. They will make you proud just as you have made all of us proud of you. We love you, dear one. Please protect all of us from your home above.

We will meet someday. Thank you for everything.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

October 30, 2004

To The Bowens-

We think of you all everyday and are still praying for you. Even though we have never met we love you and will never forget what Matt and Jen did to keep your community safe. Keep the faith and remember that we still care and we are thinking of you.

Love,
The Starks Family & Jessica
Family of Officer Daniel Starks
Ft Myers PD.
EOQ 10-25-03

October 2, 2004

May the power of Almighty God rest upon the hearts of each friend and family member.

Director Anthony M. Scott
Troopers For Christ Boot Camp

October 2, 2004

"God has taken another angel (HERO) home. My heart feels sorrow for your loss. We lost my nephew, Blaine County, Montana Deputy, Joshua Thomas Rutherford...EOW 29 May 2003..the pain is still fresh in our minds, and when we see that another Hero has fallen..we feel your pain. God be with you and comfort your families.

Former Dispatcher, Kathleen Goodman
North Bend, Oregon PD

September 28, 2004

dear matt
its been hard looking at the work detail and not seeing your name next to mine. its been even harder knowing that it can't be. you were my scout car partner for 2 1/2 years and i keep every memory close to my heart. mary, reyna, reyes and i miss and love you very much. we also keep you and jen in our prayers. i'll tell your godson all the stories about 4-5 when he gets older. until we ride again bro.
love
jose

P.O. Jose Martinez, Jr.
Detroit Police Department

September 21, 2004

It's been nearly 7 months and I still cry for you every day brother. We miss you dearly. Our family has a hole that can never be replaced. I hope heaven is all that they say it is and one day we'll be together again. Know this, we couldn't be prouder of you or Jen. You both are TRUE HEROS!!! Until we're together again...........

Love your big brother,

Jason

Jason Bowens (Matt's brother)

September 9, 2004