Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You will not be forgotten. It is not how you died, but rather how you lived that makes you a hero and will keep your memory alive forever in the hearts and minds of your brothers and sisters of the badge.

Sgt. A. Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

February 16, 2004

Please watch over me now on my beat blue angel.

Anonymous

February 16, 2004

rest in peace blue angel, so young you were

Andy

February 16, 2004

May God bless you and watch over your friends, family and co-workers as they work through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

-co-worker; deputy b. litz; eow 2/7/04

C. Westberry, Corrections Officer
Marion County (Florida) Sheriff's Dept.

February 16, 2004

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Officer Bowens and to all the personnel of the Detroit Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

February 16, 2004

Rest in peace...

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

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 just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 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 judgement 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."

Author Unknown

Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office, WI

February 16, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Bowens.

While I did have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven. Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

February 16, 2004

My heart and prayers are with the wife, child, family, friends and coworkers of Officer Bowens. What a terrible tragedy for the Detroit Police Department. May Officer Bowens child know always what a true hero their dad is. Rest in peace Officer and may you now patrol safter streets above.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

February 16, 2004

Yet another brother in blue has paid the ultimate price. Officer Bowens you have earned your wings of gold, rest in peace and forever watch over the rest of us.

To the family and co-workers my thoughts and prays go out to you.

Det. M. Mills
Kent County Sheriff Department

February 16, 2004

Two officers down
put your knee to the ground.
Two officers down
while we worked safe and sound.
Two officers down
no one makes a sound.
Two officers down
two families tears soak the ground.
Two officers down
put your knee down
In a final salute to the heros'.
Two officers down
may they sleep safe and sound
as their bodies are given now
to this hallowed ground.
Their spirits comfort now
the youngest victim of a grieving town

fire fighter chris crotty
north branford fire

February 16, 2004

Rest well young brother, your work here is done. Now you can protect us from above and patrol the golden streets. God bless you, your partner, your families, and your fellow officers.

Matt Cousins

Officer
Kingsport Police Department

February 16, 2004

Godspeed, Officer Fettig.

Robert Bielak

February 16, 2004

Godspeed, Officer Bowens.

Robert Bielak

February 16, 2004

Two more officers taken from us far to soon. Sleep in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and the men and women of the Detroit Police Department. May God's abiding love envelope you, comfort you, and support you in this time of great sadness. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

February 16, 2004

May GOD bless the family of Police Officer Matthew Bowens.


The Men and Women of the Amtrak Police Department extends our deepest sympathy to the Detroit Police Department and to the family of P.O. Bowens.



GOD bless!!!

Criminal Investigator
Amtrak Police Department NY & NJ Division

February 16, 2004

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a soldier dies but one.

Our prayers are with Officer Bowen and his family in their time of sorrow. My God be with them.


"I am my brothers keeper."

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

February 16, 2004

I am very sorry to hear about this tragedy. Ofc Bowens, I did not know you, but know that you will be missed by many, and never forgotten. You, your family, and the department are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care brother, know that the Lord is with you.

P.O. Kowalik
Harper Woods PD

February 16, 2004

I am so saddened and sickened to hear of the senseless killing of Officer Bowens and his partner. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Bowens at this very, very difficult time.

Shelley Meares
Sister of Michigan State Trooper Kevin M. Marshall EOW 7/7/03

Shelley Meares

February 16, 2004

God Speed Ranger your legacy will never be forgotten and we will continue to defend FREEDOM. See you on the high ground!!

Officer Todd Christensen
Kalamazoo Law Enforcement Training Center/Kalamazoo Public Safety

February 16, 2004

Your sacrifice will not be in vain. We will continue the fight to make our streets safe. You are our hero and you will not be forgotten. My sympathy goes out to your family and friends...God Speed, brother.

Undercover
MSOS

February 16, 2004

May God hold you in His arms and give you the strength that you will now need.
We ask why? and no answer comes. But we have to hold on. He is now resting in Jesus care. And who else can we turn to now. There is no other.
God bless.

Anonymous

February 16, 2004

Rest easy, brother. You will always be remembered and never forgetton.

#135

Deputy Dave Windels
Goodhue Co. Sheriff's Office, MN

February 16, 2004

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL
The policeman stood and faced his God, which always must 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 just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 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 thrown 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."

God Bless you Officer Bowens. You live on forever in our hearts.

Wife of Burbank Police Officer
Burbank Police Dept. (California)

February 16, 2004

To the family, friends and officers of the Detroit Police Department please accept my sympathy for the loss of OFC BOWENS, to be cowardly gunned down by this type of person is beyond comprehension, my thoughts and prayers go out to you, I only hope that the recording of this incident helps for the speedy capture and conviction of this coward. And I also hope for the speedy recovery of his partner also and hope that he can carry on after he gets well again.

Senior Patrol Ofc Kevin Armstrong
Anchorage Police Department

February 16, 2004

On behalf of all the members of the Detroit FBI Division, I offer my sincere condolences to our brothers and sisters of the Detroit Police Department on the loss of our brother, Matthew Bowens.

Rest in Peace, servant of the Most High God! (Romans 13:4 NIV)

SA Darin L. Paul
FBI Detroit Division

February 16, 2004