Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On the 5th anniversary of Officer Bowens' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Bowens is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

February 17, 2009

Dear Matt, Sorry I did not write this on your actual anniversary ( Yesterday Feb 16). I just wanted to say THANKYOU for your dedication and service to your community. Your life did not end in vain and you will be forever rememberd by your fellow colleges as they beat the streets of Detroit and abroad to uphold the peace and libertry you sought day in and day out...

Godbless and keep watch over us

Anonymous

February 17, 2009

PO Bowens I never got the chance to meet you, laugh with, or work the streets of southwest Detroit with you, but one thing I do know is that you are truly loved and missed by those who knew you. As I work the same streets that you once worked i know that you are looking down on your brothers and sisters in blue from up above. Thank You for the service you provided to the city of Detroit, and may you rest in peace.

PO. HATHORN
DPD SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT

February 17, 2009

Wow Matt, its been 5 years already. I cant believe it. I can still remember cheering you and the boys on at softball every Thursday morning. Them always teasin you for bein so white, callin you "Powder." I remember the last picnic you went to. We were all joking around. I never thought the death of one of my dad's co-worker's could have an effect on me the way your death did and now its been 5 years. It still hurts to think of what happened to you and Jenn 5 years ago. But you will always be apart of my heart. The team picture from that last season sitting in a frame on my shelf. My dad truly thought of you as a son. He looked out for you. You are always thought of and will always be remembered for the fun loving, joking around guy that i knew. Your badge is tattooed on my back and that is my rememberence of you. Miss you buddy!

Lindsay Matuzak
Daughter of Sgt. Michael Matuzak

February 16, 2009

without you and the terrible pain within their hearts. God, wrap your loving arms around them and help them with their grief and let them feel your presence .
Your sacrifice has not been forgotten.
Brenda Lucas
Mother of Chief Anthony D. Lucas, EOW 2-4-2005

Anonymous

February 16, 2009

5 years already...

Rest in peace.

C/PO3 Daniel M. Sung
Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps

February 16, 2009

Two candles are lit on my porch tonight.....When my neighbors ask me why tomorrow, I'll point to my five year old T-shirt and say "Priority 4-5"

Anonymous

February 15, 2009

Getting ready to head down to Gilbert....can't believe it's been 5 years already. Seems like just yesterday you were walking out that door on your first day back from furlow. If I would have only known my whole world would have been torn apart 2 short hours later.....I miss you so damn. Losing you and Mom has left a whole in our family that won't ever be filled. I think about you guys every wingle day and wonder how different life could have been. That monster is rotting in jail for the rest of his life but little does he know that your family and friends are suffering a life sentence too...

You were the best brother, son and uncle our family could have ever asked for. We all miss you so damn much. I can't wait until the day we're all together again. Give Mom a hug and kiss and tell her I love her dearly.

Love,

Jason

Jason Bowens (brother)

February 15, 2009

5 YEARS IN A FEW DAYS, THAT NIGHT AND THOSE WORDS, "PRIORITY 4-5" I STILL HEAR THEM EVERY DAY. THANKS FOR THE GOOD TIMES. I HOPE YOU AND JENN CONTINUE TO WATCH OVER ME, I COULDNT ASK FOR BETTER PARTNERS AND GAURDIAN ANGELS. SKO...

SKO

February 11, 2009

They're everywhere. On the streets, and on the sidewalks. Whether they wear the blue uniform of a police officer, the green uniform of a sheriff's deputy, or a suit and tie of a federal agent. They're there.

They're there keeping everyone safe, enforcing the law and of course, keeping the peace.

You know, there's an old saying that someone lives only as long as the last person who remembers them.

Well in that case, you, Ofc. Fettig, and all the other officers who've made the ultimate sacrifice will live forever.

Reading what others have written, it angers me and saddens me that any human being would have to go through such pain and suffering.

In a few weeks it will be five years since you were murdered. Some people say that time heals all wounds. Well, your brother knows the truth about that saying.

I wish your friends and family well in the times ahead. Lord knows what they've gone through all these years.

Rest in peace, Blue Angel.

You have done well.

C/PO3 Daniel M. Sung
Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps

January 19, 2009

It's coming up on 5 years bro. Still feels like it was just yesterday. The holidays were hard once again without you and Mom around but I guess things can never truly be the same. I love you so much and still think of you every single day. Give Mom a hug for me schlick.

Love,

Jason

Anonymous

January 4, 2009

Matt,

Wanted to say that your memory will always be remembered. It was a pleasure to have worked along side-by-side with you. Merry Christmas, to your family and may God keep your Dad and brothers close. God Bless

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

December 23, 2008

Hey Matt- I miss you.. I know we will meet again- I've been thinking about you a lot.. damn.. I never would have thought that this would happen to you.. I'm still in shock almost 5 years later.. Your a great cop & always will be remembered as such.. I wish we would have just cleared the air-- I'm sooo sorry Matt!! I miss you....

DPD #3520
Former Co-worker @ #4

November 24, 2008

Hi Matt,
My Name is Jess. I am married to Kostanko. I never had the chance and pleasure of meeting you but I hear so many funny stories about you and I wish I had. The morning you and Jen were murdered i was at Travis house and he was living with Jason and Ursula Skoczylas. I remember hearing Urs and she was walking down the hall and talking on the phone. She knocked on the door and told us that Jason called and told her. I knew then my life would be affected forever. I went to your funeral and it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. You touched so many people Matt!Officers from all over flew in to honor you. Of course Kwame got up there and said some BS and i wanted to throw up because he is a joke. He said how you were such a great officer and he had to tell his sons what happened and his one said why would some one do that. I wanted him to say because he was an animal.Eric Lee Marshall will burn in hell. Trust me on that one. You made me a better wife Matt. You made me tell Travis I love you and to be safe eveytime he leaves for work because you never know. I take eveything to heart and seriously like it could be taken away in a blink of your eye. I thank you for being the officer you were and being such a wonderful person. I have not gone to any of the Gilbert memorials yet, but I have drove past the house and street and saw were you laid. I felt so emotions of seeing the spots and imagining everything. I am so sorry that this happened to you.
I only wish I could have met you.

Jess

Jess Kostanko wife of PO Travis Kostanko
Detroit Police Dept

October 22, 2008

To the family and friends of Matt Bowens and and most especially to Matt.


I am remembering Matt and Jenn today, and as always admiring their courage and professionalism. Matt, you were such a brave young warrior for justice on that fateful day that you so tragically lost your life.

To his father, I share your anquish in losing a cherished child. I hope your efforts at passing the bill were successful, and if not, don't give up the battle. It is a noble endeavor.

To Jason, my son James lost his younger brother to gunfire as well. The bullets that kill our beloved family members don't just kill them, but a part of everyone who loves them. I am so sorry you lost your mother as well. I pray for solace for you and your father, and all his other loved ones.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Matt gave to his community and the citizens of Michigan, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on February 16, 2004.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD (CA), eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

October 6, 2008

Hey Matt. It's hard to believe that you are gone. Ever since high school you were a great guy. I've learned a lot from you and am a better law enforcement officer because of you. Take care buddy. Watch out for all of us here...

Agent SW
US Border Patrol

September 27, 2008

Hey matt just wanted to say hi, I will never forget you and I still remember like it was yesterday that ultimate sacrifice you and jenn made on that night.It changed my life forever and you will not be forgotten R.I.P

P.O. Rodney Durham#556 4th pct
Detroit Police Dept

September 14, 2008

2009 is almost here. It's been so long since you and Ofc. Fettig were taken from us.

R.I.P.

C/SN Daniel Sung
NJROTC

September 1, 2008

Shine Your Light
The cry of the city like a siren's song
Wailing over the rooftops the whole night long
Saw a shooting star like a diamond in the sky
Must be someone's soul passing by

These are the streets
Where we used to run where your Papa's from
These are the days
Where you become what you become
These are the streets
Where the story's told
The truth unfolds
Darkness settles in

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you're gone
Give me the strength
To carry on, carry on

Don't wanna be a hero
Just an everyday man
Trying to do the job the very best he can
But now it's like living on borrowed time
Out on the rim, over the line
Always tempting fate like a game of chance
Never wanna stick around to the very last dance
Sometimes i stumble and take a hard fall
Loose(?) hold your grip off the wall

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you're gone
Give me the strength to carry on
Carry on

I thought i saw him walking by the side of the road
Maybe trying to find his way home

He's here but not here
He's gone but not gone
Just hope he knows if I get lost

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you're gone
Give me the strength to carry on
To carry on

Anonymous

July 31, 2008

Happy Birthday Matt!!!!! Miss you and mom so much. Tell her we all said hi. We all love you.

James
Matt's Brother

March 26, 2008

Miss you Matt, R.I.P. bro

Steve
Local 687

February 19, 2008

Thinking of you, your partner and all of your loved ones on this day. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and let them feel your presence so they know you are watching over them. You are a true hero, thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement. You have not been forgotten.

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

February 16, 2008

4 years today and the pain still feels like it was yesterday. I miss you terribly bro. Life just isn't the same without you "schlick"

Love you bro! Keep watching over us and give Mom a hug for me.

Love,

Jason

February 16, 2008

You and Jenn are not forgotten. We think of you everyday. We pray for your family who must carry on. God Bless you both and God Bless all those in Blue!

Was Dbn. #424

S/A Dave Stahl
DEA Fresno

February 16, 2008

I was just thinking about all the good times, all the laughs we shared and of course your smile. You are missed greatly. I know you are shining down on everyone who loved you here. Miss you terribly...

February 16, 2008