Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

O,Gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me.As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical, and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep the peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think that no one really cares and that I am taken for granted.Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for presence.Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord ,I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer ; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enbjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. Sent to fellow officers ;family and loved ones by the father of Officer J.D.Koeppen Capital City Raleigh NC and Trooper D.C.Koeppen New Jersey State Police.

Chief (ret) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

February 19, 2004

My prayers and deepest condolences are with
your Department, and especially with the friends
and family of your fallen friend. GOD BLESS this HERO.
Stay strong, stay focused, and make SURE that Officers Mathew Bowens and Jennifer Fettig will never be forgotten.
Mike Bradford; Tallahassee Police Dept., Ret.

Invest. Mike Bradford-Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

February 19, 2004

Rest in Peace, brother

Trooper
Vermont State Police

February 19, 2004

My thoughts go out to the families of the fallen officer. I hope he enjoyed the job well, because its one that only a fallen officer could say I would do it again and again. I stand proud to know he was one of us.
Goodbye my fellow brother, we will see you again one day. Keep us safe from above.

L. DeMonaco Jr. #120
Richmond Police Department MI.

Officer L. DeMonaco Jr.
Richmond Police Department

February 19, 2004

So young, such a tragic loss. To the family and friends..you are in the thoughts and prayers of all. My heart is heavy.

a blue light will shine 24/7 in my window until saturday

Cindy W.

February 19, 2004

To all the officers at Detroit P.D. in particular those on Bowens shift, our most sincere condolences on behalf of everyone at Mishawaka P.D.

Cpl Kevin Will
Mishawaka Police Dept IN

February 19, 2004

To the Family and Loved Ones of Officer Bowens:

Thank you Officer Bowens for making the City of Detroit a safer place for all of those who live and work in the city. There are no words to express the sadness that is felt when an officer gives their life in the line of duty.

Rest in Peace Officer Bowens you are truly a hero.

Special Agent Todd Allen
IRS-Criminal Investigation Division

February 19, 2004

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

PO Andrew
Chicago PD

February 19, 2004

To the family, Friends, and the Detroit Police Department, I am deeply sorry to hear about you loss. I would like to extend my condolences to you all. My thoughts and prays are with you. You have lost a beautiful soul, but heaven has one more shinning star.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, MD

February 19, 2004

Our prayer are with you and your family and the Detroit Police Dept.

All of us at
Dallas Police Dept, TX

February 19, 2004

You will be greatly missed by all. You will always be in my prayers!


Former Detroit Police Officer Adam Rendall

Deputy Adam Rendall
Marion County Sheriffs Office Florida

February 18, 2004

There is no greater love, or sacrifice made for his fellow man than that made by a police officer who so willingly gives everything he has to do the job before him. I thank you for all that you stand for and for the protection you gave to us all. You are forever a hero

Debbie
Private citizen, daughter of retired police sergeant

February 18, 2004

We are deeply saddened by your tragic loss. May you rest in eternal peace and may God provide the guidance and strength to your family, friends and members of the Detroit Police Department that will be needed during this difficult time.

St. Clair Shores Police Officers Assoc
St. Clair Shores Police Dept

February 18, 2004

We are deeply saddened by your tragic loss. May you rest in eternal peace and may God provide the guidance and strength to your family, friends and members of the Detroit Police Department that will be needed during this difficult time.

St. Clair Shores Police Officers Assoc
St. Clair Shores Police Dept

February 18, 2004

Dear family,

I am sorry to hear about your loss, remember: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" Matt 5:4. As fellow officers and families we should always remember " Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" Matt 5:9. God Bless

Officer Mike Snyder
Coral Springs PD, Florida

February 18, 2004

We stand on a wall and say, nothing is going to hurt you tonight, not on Morning Watch. Too bad Michigan does not have the death penalty. I'm glad Georgia does.

Georgia Morning Watch Officer

February 18, 2004

You will never be fogotten. You are a hero for making the ultimate sacrifice of protecting your community. Rest in peace

February 18, 2004

Bowen Family,

My prayers and thoughts will be with you forever. To lose a son/daughter, husband, father, friend at such an early age, there are no words thats can help. But please rest assure that he did not die in vain. He died a "true American Hero" protecting those that could not protect themselves. Brother Bowen, Rest in Peace, at your new patrol zone "Heaven" while we continue the war here. You will be with me as my "angel" until we are patroling the same beat one day in heaven. God Speed

Deputy W F Schrader II
St Johns County Sheriffs Office, Florida

Dep William F Schrader II
St Johns County Sheriffs Office Floria

February 18, 2004

RIP brother Bowens, my heart and soul are with you, your family, and your co workers. You gave ALL and it is truely appreciated

PTLM. Christopher Kelly 1092
Camden City, NJ PD

February 18, 2004

There are no words in this world that will help take the sorrow away, but there is two things that will help.... Talk to the lord, he is always there, he listens.....I know this because i talk to him when I think about my brother....Know that you have many friends that u can talk to... Just sit down and think of all of the memories you have, even though there painful, you to will see how well it helps.....Even though i didn't know Ofc. Matthew Bowens, it hurts me so much when an Officer is killed....I know the risks and dangers, for i am a Explorer, but not just my experence as an Explorer shows me the danger, it is that my brother was killed...

Rest In Peace Blue Angel Youv'e done you Duty here, Go Protect the Streets of Heaven you dont ur job here, and one day you will see ur love ones again, but for know lean down and kiss them, watch over them and protect them....

Brian Betts
Surviving Sibling of Ofc. C. R. Betts EOW 12/22/02

February 18, 2004

My sympathies go out to Officer Matthew Bowens family and friends. It is a sad situation to lose such a great young Officer to Our Police Forces in which I believe is so unnessary in our society. May God Bless.
Cheryl

Cheryl Brown

February 18, 2004

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, from your fellow brothers and sisters north of the border.

Police Constable Mike Hayles
Toronto Police Service

February 18, 2004

My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy go out to the wife, child, friends and fellow officers of Officer Bowens. I fully understand the utter grief and devastation that has entered your lives due to this senseless tragedy. Our oldest son was killed in a line of duty accident (vehicular assault) on 8/27/03 and our lives were changed forever on that fateful day.

Officer Bowens was a true hero in my eyes and he will never be forgotten. We all lost a truly courageous young officer as heaven gained another angel. Thank you, Officer Bowens, for having the bravery and dedication to serve and protect.
May God bless you and your family. You may be gone but will never be forgotten.

Cindy Distel
Mother of CHP Officer Shannon L Distel EOW 8/27/03

February 18, 2004

I come with a heavy heart to post a memorial to these two heroes, Ofc. Bowens and Ofc. Fettig.

Officer Bowens, I grieve for you, your family, and all fallen officers. May your senseless death be a reminder to all that those who stand guard for us everyday are indeed heroes.

From the Policemans' Memorial in Washington DC:
"In Valor, There is Hope"
"It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."

B. Miller, wife, Pontiac, MI PD

February 18, 2004

My prayers go out to the family, friends and fellow officers of Matthew Bowens.
It is never easy to lose a fellow officer in such a senseless manner. May justice be served and may peace come to those who are grieving.
God Bless Matthew. You are a true hero.

Thank You.

Deputy
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

February 18, 2004