Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am so sorry for the loss of Officer Bowens. A young life taken .........so soon.......so unfair........you died a Hero.

Officer Julie Schmidt
Louisville Metro Police Dept. Louisville, KY

March 15, 2004

"One thing I know: the only ones who will be really happy are those who have sought and found a way to serve." Albert Schweitzer
My prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Bowens. May the memories you have of happy times with this officer help to ease the pain you're feeling now. He did not lose his life-he gave it in service.
Rest easy, Officer; you will never be forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, IN

March 15, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Matthew did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Matthew be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Bowens' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Matthew is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Matthew was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/03/03)

March 15, 2004

Although we never had a chance to meet, we shared a common goal.
To make the world a better place, but now it's taken a toll.
Now I say to you in words of a prayer, I will remember what you've done.
Your death was the ultimate in sacrifice, how tragic that you're gone.
One day we'll meet and talk about our common goal and then,
The heartache that I 'm feeling now, will no longer have to mend.

The Men and Women of the Green Bay Polic
Green Bay P.D. Green Bay WI

March 12, 2004

Matthew, you and I never met and that does not matter, the love shown for you at your funneral was so great and honorably! We lined teh streets and then the church to show you how much we cared, as you were a brother in blue and that was all we needed to know. Your family was there and talked so proud and that mad us all cry, as you much have been one hell of a guy! Matt be safe in heaven and tell Jennifer the same, as you two are what police should be, people who worked hard and gave an honest days work and should have never died!
Ofc. Rob Trevino-Blissfield Police/Michigan.

Officer Robert Trevino
Blissfield Police, Blissfield, MI

March 11, 2004

Dear Matt,
Although you and I only met once before in person but talked many times on the phone while you and Jen worked together, I consider us friends. You were always quite the comedain and made my sister laugh. Thank you for your bravery that night. I know you both are still driving around together in the big white clouds kicking butt. Tell her that I love her for me. You two stick together!

Jenny's Little Sister- Becky

Becky Fettig

March 9, 2004

Officer Bowens,
Remembering you and Officer Fettig on my night shift. You will never be forgotten, GOD SPEED......

Officer
North Carolina

March 9, 2004

"No greater love hath any man than one who would lay down his own life for his friend"

Anonymous

March 7, 2004

from all of us to you and jenn we miss you guys,and most of all we love ya.......

4th pct
DELRAY LAWMEN

March 6, 2004

May God bless you and comfort your friends and family.


May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall gently upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Ret Sgt AJC
MCSD NJ

March 6, 2004

Matt, I was so terribly sorry to hear about you and Jen.Two more good lives taken, once again over something minor.I know you'll be sorely missed by all those of us who spend our lives helping others, and trying to prevent more tragedies like the one that befell you two brave souls.Rest easy,with the knowledge that there are many more of us who are like you-I had a relative on DPD .

Paul Bardal
Canadian Armed Forces

March 5, 2004

Matt,

You are a true hero who paid the ultimate price. I ask God to please help your loved ones cope with their terrible loss until you are all reunited someday heaven.

With Love,

A Deputy Sheriff's Mom.

Karen Hessler

March 4, 2004

To Officer Bowens and his family: May God wrap his loving arms around you and comfort you... Officer Bowens, you served your community with great dedication; you will never be forgotten. Your sacrifice will be remembered by all who will carry on your legacy. May God assign you to be our Guardian Angel, watching over us as we continue to fight the good fight.... Rest in peace, the watch is now ours!!!!

Sgt Mark Schultz
Canton PD, MI

March 4, 2004

MATT,I NEVER GOT TO MEET YOU BUT I FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU.I KNEW JEN WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL. SHE BECAME A COP BECAUSE OF MY DAUGHTER ROBINS MURDER.I FEEL SO SAD YOU BOTH ARE GONE ,BUT SO VERY VERY PROUD.MY HEART ACHES FOR YOUR FAMILY AND THE DETROIT PD.YOU AND JEN WATCH OVER US ALL.FOREVER IN MY THOUGHTS AND MY HEART.JAN CORNELL

JAN CORNELL
CAPE CORAL FL

March 4, 2004

Matt,

We work thousands of miles from one another but share the same goals of hopefully saving a life or making a difference in a troubled childs life. As Law Enforcement Officers we hear daily of one of our collegues giving their life "In the Line of Duty". In order to put on our pressed uniform and polished brass and head out into a world of uncertainty we must set aside the thoughts of our own mortality and ask that God give us the strength we need to do the best job we can for the good of the people / strangers. We may never understand why there is so much evil in this world when there are so many like us putting our lives on the line for the good of the people. You are a symbol of what being a good cop is all about and though your life was cut extremely short by the evil in this world you will be forever in my heart. I will think of you and Jen each day I begin my tour of duty and will continue to serve and protect in your memory. Goodbye for now until the day we meet in Paradise. DFC. Terri Hessler #0114/ C.C.S.O. / Char. Co. Sheriff's Office, Florida

DFC. Terri Hessler
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

March 3, 2004

Rest in Peace little brother. Life seems so pointless w/o you by my side. We all miss you dearly. You made our family so proud that I could never put into words how I feel. You may have fallen, but you'll be with me forever! I wrote this poem for your funeral to try and show the world how wonderful you truly are!!

Love your big brother,
Jason

Officer Down

My Brother, you were so certain about the job you’d select,
The only dream you ever had was to serve and protect.

How honorable a profession everyone would agree,
Why you’re no longer patrolling isn’t so easy to see.

Dedicated and proud, you’re a hero to us all,
How intolerable the pain now that you’ve taken a fall.

Down to your last step, you were as brave as could be,
Offering your own life while that coward tried to flee.

Every breath I take is so empty to me,
Down here on earth where my hero should be.

We know what you did, and I shiver with pride
For your courage under fire and how valiantly you tried.

Our loss is so great, but heavens gain is much more
Now your up above, the one we adored.

I promise I’ll never forget it, nor will the pain ever cease
Our angel above, of my heart your still a peace.

So proud of what you did, but I still tear up and frown
The pain of those words, “Officer Down.”

Jason Bowens - Matt's older brother

March 3, 2004

May GOD watch over you. We have the rest of the watch.

P.O. Ralph Vieux
MARTA P.D.

March 2, 2004

You and your partner are in my prayers.

Officer S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

March 2, 2004

May God look upon you with love and mercy and may send St. Michael to guide you to your reward.

Chief Mike Windle
Heavener Police Department

February 29, 2004

I see your picture on this web page and I wonder if it will ever be my turn. Officer Bowens, you will not be forgotten.

To the family:

I pray that God in his infinite mercy may console your hearts. I am so sorry for your loss. The 123rd Entrant Officer Class from the Kansas City Regional Academy salutes you. God bless.

Entrant Officer Enrique Colon
Blue Springs Police Department

February 28, 2004

IT IS A TRAGEDY TO HEAR OF OFFICER FETTIG AND OFFICER BOWENS...MY HEART GOES OUT TO THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS...MAY THE COWARDS WHO TOOK THEIR LIVES BE PUNISHED BY THE HAND OF GOD!! REST IN PEACE BROTHER AND SISTER...GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN...GOD SPEED!

DEPUTY M.JABLONSKI
MARION COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

February 28, 2004

Rest In Peace Brother You Will Not Be Forgotten.

Patrolman McCue
Clearwater PD CLearwater FL

February 27, 2004

Not much time has passed, I still think of the Bowens family often and pray for you all. They say time heals all wounds, I dont think thats true. I myself promise to help get this capital punishment bill passed in whatever way I can, I'd walk to Washington if I had to.

February 27, 2004

To the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Bowens, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. It's a shame that a coward took his and Jennifer's life. God will deal with him and have a special place for those who serve and protect. Godspeed, Matthew!

Officer Donna C. Wright
Purdue University Calumet Police Department-Hammond, IN

February 26, 2004

I found the announcement of Jennifer and your incident on our teletype last week.
We are truly saddened by your loss.
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We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

February 25, 2004