Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am deeply saddened by this tragic event. May the ruthless criminals responsible for these murders be brought to justice and sentenced to the most severe penalty. Your service to your community is appreciated by all of us. May God bless you, your coworkers and the survivors of your family. Rest in peace brother.......

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

February 17, 2004

To the family of Police Officer Matthew Bowens: My prayers and my thoughts are with all of you during this terrible time.

On, Saturday, December 13, 2003, my brother, Corporal Thomas Roberts and his partner, Patrolman Bryan S. Verkler, were both shot and killed in the line of duty responding to a neighborhood disturbance in Mishawaka, Indiana. I

Though this may not bring you comfort now because you have suffered the ultimate loss--but your son, your brother, your husband, Matthew, is a hero to the city he served and to the people he chose to protect.

Keep strong during this time and hold tightly to your faith in God. God bless all you!

Lisa Roberts
Proud sister of Corporal Thomas Roberts, officer killed in the line of duty 12/13/2003

February 17, 2004

God bless, we will not forget your sacrifice. We'll take it from here...

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

February 17, 2004

Rest in Peace Brother and may God Bless you.
My prayers are with you, your family, friends and fellow officers at the Detroit Police Dept.

The watch is ours.

Sheriff Steve Brown
Lunenburg/Queens Co. Sheriff's Office, Bridgewater, N.S., Canada

February 17, 2004

There are but two persons who protect the sinful human race from destroying itself. One is God's Holy Spirit. The other is the Peace Officer. Without them, we would all perish at each other's hands.

You were called into this profession and our Lord and Savior has blessed you because:
According to Romans 13.1-5...
God ordains the Peace Officer’s profession.
The Peace Officer is sent by God.
The Peace Officer is vested with God's authority to enforce the law.
A Peace Officer's badge is to be honored by us, because it is honored by God.

You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for your fellow man, while serving, defending, and protecting others in your community.

To the family of Officer Matthew Bowens and the Detroit Police Department, your extended family of Law Enforcement Officers grieves with you during this time. I pray that God will wrap his loving arms around each of you and comfort you during this most difficult time.

To all my brothers and sisters, please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Please pray for this officer's family and friends as they struggle with this tragedy.
May God be with you every day, please remember, we are a part of the largest family in the world and when one hurts we all hurt.

Though our badges and uniforms may be different, our mission is the same. Rest in peace with our other fallen Brothers and Sisters. We will continue the fight in your honor.

Florida Deputy Sheriff

February 17, 2004

My heart goes out to Officer Bowens' family, friends and co-workers. I'm so sorry for your loss. May Officer Bowens never be forgotten.

With deepest sympathies,
Stacy Cullinane Smith
Widow of Patrolman Mickey Cullinane, EOW 8/26/92,
Sea Isle City, NJ Police Department

February 17, 2004

To the friends and family of Officer Matthew Bowens, may God bless you and be with you in your time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; Officer Bowens was doing his job when he was called to heaven. Rest in peace brother your work on earth is done; go patrol the highways of heaven and guide us all to protect and serve others safely. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother…

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, FLorida

February 17, 2004

2 young lives lost in 1 second. My prayers and thoughts are sent your way from PA. Please accept this poem as my way of thanking you for your time well served in your community as a public servant.

The The following short take describes what members of the EMS, Fire and Police Departments, doctors and nurses go through every week.

I WANT TO TELL YOU LIES
(author unknown)
I want to tell that little boy his Mom will be just fine,
I want to tell that dad we got his daughter out in time,
I want to tell that wife her husband will be home tonight,
I don't want to tell it like it is.....
I want to tell them lies.
You didn't put their seat belts on,
you feel you killed your kids,
I want to say you didn't... but in away, you did.
You pound your fist into my chest, you're hurting so inside,
I want to say you'll be okay....
I want to tell you lies.
You left chemicals within his reach and now it's in his eyes,
I want to say your son will see, not tell you he'll be blind.
You ask me if he'll be OK, with pleading in your eyes,
I want to say that yes he will....
I want to tell you lies.
I can see you're crying as your life goes up in smoke.
IF you'd maintained that smoke alarm, your children may have woke.
Don't grab my arm and ask me if your family is alive.
Don't make me tell you that they're dead....
I want to tell you lies.
I want to say she'll be okay, you didn't take her life,
I hear you say you love her and you'd never hurt your wife.
You thought you didn't drink to much, you thought
that you could drive.
I don't want to say how wrong you were,
I want to tell you lies.
You left her for a moment, it happens all the time.
How could she have fallen when you thought she couldn't climb?
I want to say her neck's not broke, that she will be just fine.
I don't want to say she's paralyzed.....
I want to tell you lies.
I want to tell this teen his buddies didn't die in vain,
Because he thought it would be cool to try and beat that train.
I don't want to tell him this will haunt him all his life,
I want to say that he'll forget,
I want to tell him lies.
You left the cabinet open and your daughter found the gun,
Now you want me to undo the damage that's been done.
You tell me she's your only child, you say she's only five.
I don't want to say she won't see six.....
I want to tell you lies.
He fell into the pool when you ran to get the phone,
It was only for a second that you left him there alone.
If you'd let the phone just ring perhaps your boy would be alive,
But I don't want to tell you that....
I want to tell you lies.
The fact that you were speeding caused that car to overturn,
And we couldn't get them out of there before the whole thing burned,
Did they suffer? Yes, they suffered, they were slowly burned alive.
But I don't want to say those words...
I want to tell you lies.
But I have to tell it like it is, until my shift is through,
And then the real lies begin, when I come home to you.
You ask me how my day was, and I say it was just fine.
I hope you understand, sometimes.....
I have to tell you lies.



Dedicated to all the Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT's, Paramedics, Emergency Flight Crews, Hospital Police, Security Officers and all Civil Servants who deal with the tragedies of life and death. The saddest of all being those that could have been prevented.

The next time you hear a siren in the distance, don't just say a prayer for the victims and their families. Say a prayer for the people that face these tragedies every day and do the best they can to save someone that is loved.

We never see the tears of these brave men and women, but God does.

Say a prayer for each and everyone who is out helping to make a difference in the darkness of the shadow that has surrounded us. Support them and let them know you care.

Tonya Stephenson
Private Citizen, PA

February 17, 2004

What do cops think? ...only Bosco knows.

Matt, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, so do we!

John 3:16

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond, Va Police

February 17, 2004

I was shocked by the news.Words cannot express the depth of anguish I felt when I heard about the deaths of these two young officers.
Officer Bowens your family always will love you and forever miss you, but we all understand that it is God's will that you come home because your journey here is over and your work have now been rewarded. Be at peace my friend and know that through your love your family will live on.
My prayers are with the family of this fine Officer,in this time of immeasurable sadness.

Teresa Goss
Shadco. Jax.Fl

February 17, 2004

We are still trying to deal with the tragic death of one of our deputies. All of us were comforted by the overwhelming support from agencies all over the world through this memorial. To the family, friends, and law enforcement brothers and sisters of Officer Bowens, our prayers are with you. We worked through our tremendous grief by making little memorials for Deputy Brian Litz: mourning bands for our patrol vehicle stars, black ribbons with his name and ID on them for the antenna, even his ID on our rear windows using shoe polish...my agency came together even closer than before, and we started caring more, telling each other more how much we appreciated each other, instead of waiting to say it in a memorial. One of the reflections that meant a lot to us was "REST EASY, WE HAVE THE WATCH NOW." So, Officer Bowens, even though you were with us such a very short time, rest easy, brother....we've got the watch from here...Love and prayers to you all....

Master Deputy
Marion County Sheriff's Office, FL

February 17, 2004

I want to send my deepest regards to the families and Detroit Police Department for the loss of two fine officers.

Aaron Sirolli
citizen

February 17, 2004

Such a tragic loss, such a young officer.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Know that you will be greatly missed.

Anonymous

February 17, 2004

Nothing could be as tragic as the loss of these two young officers, mowed down by a coward on the streets who took to full advantage the edge given the criminal by our society.

The Lord will have his revenge, walk proudly on the Streets of Gold, be my Guardian Angel and rest in peace.

Captain Joe L. Gilliland (retired)
Danville Kentucky Police Department

February 17, 2004

Rest in peace. Not to be forgotten.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

February 17, 2004

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this officer. I know first hand what it feels like as my fiancee was taken from me in the line of duty about 4 months ago. I hope that he has met Daniel in Heaven, and my prayer will be that you may find peace, strength, and comfort throughout this ordeal.
Blessings to everyone involved..
Jessica Ruhl (Survivor of Ofcr Daniel Starks EOW 10.25.03)

Jessica

February 17, 2004

My husband, Dan Clark/New Bern NC Police Dept (ret) just returned from a faller officers funeral, who was also a personal friend. Thier loss was not in vain, to soon, but not in vain. Our deepest sympathies to the family and the department.

always remember the "thin blue line"

Mari Clark/E911 operator
Craven Co Sheriff Office New Bern NC

February 17, 2004

God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.

ACooper
Emt

February 17, 2004

My heart goes out to Officer Bowen's young wife and daughter, as well as the rest of his family and friends. Please know that you are in the prayers of a family that stretches across the nation.

Becky Muncy
Widow, Sgt. Marc Muncy (E.O.W. 04/05/95)

February 17, 2004

To Officer Bowen's family and co-workers:

I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God gives you comfort and strength in the weeks and months ahead.

I know the loss you are feeling; my dad was killed in the line of duty on 11-19-02. The support of his dept. and from the community were of great strength to us. I pray that you find that same love, comfort and support to help you through these most difficult days ahead.

Again, I am sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell
EOW 11-19-02

Valarie Bell Wright
Daughter of Ptl. William B. Bell, EOW 11-19-02 Summerville PD, SC

February 17, 2004

Yet another hero has been taken too soon. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers Officer Bowens. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

February 17, 2004

May God be your family and friends.

debra

February 17, 2004

Rest in peace, brother. You are with God now.

Patrolman
Independence MO

February 17, 2004

sorry to read about your loved one my deepest sympathy go to you i just layed my husband to rest on 2-10 04 he was the riverdale det our prays go to you god bless

wife rpd
wife rpd

February 17, 2004

My heart goes out to Matthew's family and friends. A Youngstown, Ohio police officer (Michael Hartzell) was ambushed much the same way in April 2003. I wanted to express my deepest sympathies and let his family know that he died a hero.
May God take care of him in his new home.

Karen
Youngstown, Ohio

February 17, 2004