Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Thanksgiving Molly

November 23, 2006

A tribute to MOLLY BOWDEN- We watched the news with horror,ever sincethat fateful day, and prayed and fought beside her, til she had to slip away. In times of war and murder and robberies, somehow this touched us more, The taking of a life, That had so much in store. A life dedicated to service, Thats all she wanted to do, to make this world a better place, and she died, seeing it through.She was a beloved wife,A treasured child, and a friend, even those who didnt know her, were touched by her lifes early end. For her life had real purpose, and stood for all thats good,and so somehow it stands apart, this life lived simply as one should. And so she's touched us all,Maybe more than she ever meant, because in her we saw, a message that got sent, that a life true and descent, promoting what is right, speaks volumes to our world, and puts the good in sight. so we thank OFFICER BOWDEN with thoughts and prayers for those she loved, For because of Her today, we lift our eyes above. Molly,I want to dedicate this to You and your Family and Friends. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE SWEET ANGEL,THANK YOU.

BILLY ARNEY

November 21, 2006

Molly,
Jon & I are getting married this weekend and the one person I want to be there will only be in spirit. I would not be getting married this weekend if it were not for you! You introduced Jon & I 4 years ago and how lucky I am. I just can not believe you will not be there to celebrate. Your mom & dad will be there and we will have you in mind. I miss you!

Courtney

November 16, 2006

I attended the Womens Street Survival Seminar in Atlantic City, NJ this weekend. It was a rude awakening. When Molly's story was told, there was dead silence in the room. I was sick to my stomach hearing about how this brave officer was murdered. Being a female officer myself, a story like this hits hard and it hurts. All your brother and sister officers love you Molly for your courage.
My sincerest condolences go out to Molly's family and friends.

Patrol Officer, Terry Hogan
Borough of Pine Hill, NJ

November 4, 2006

May god bless you forever,Molly & your family as well.

BILLY ARNEY

November 3, 2006

2006 was the second year in a row I attended Police Week in Washington, D.C. I remember how moving it was for me during my first visit in 2005. However, that did not compare to how I felt after being privileged enough to sit with some of your co-workers and their families on the flight from Kansas City to Washington this year. I remember the news reports of your sacrifice, but I view it in a different perspective after hearing first-hand accounts of your life and death from your friends and family.

Your friends and family stood proudly and professionally in your honor at the memorial. I am grateful to have met them and heard your story. Rest in peace.

Corporal James Carney
Prairie Village, KS, Police Department

October 24, 2006

God bless you.

Ofc. Alison Lichter
West Palm Beach P.D.

October 21, 2006

I think of you and miss you every day. I wish you were here. We all do.

August 21, 2006

Happy birthday! I was a few days late but I know you would understand. Austin was with me when I stopped by and he made me proud! Tamara and I think of you EVERYDAY. Were ok, it just is tough without you.
Love, Brad & Tamara

Brad L. Nelson
Columbia, MO P.D.

July 29, 2006

Molly -
I went and visited your grave the other day, and thought I could hold myself together, but I couldn't. I still miss you just as much as the day you passed. I miss you.

Chastity Hicks, 911 Dispatcher
Callaway County Sheriffs Dept.

June 2, 2006

Molly, you dont know me but I look at your reflections everyday. I lost my "big brother" in April, 2005 and I always read his and your reflections everyday. The weird part is, when I was in DC this year, the President mentioned three officers.

I know one, Larry Cox and I felt like I knew the other one, you. I never had the honor of meeting the third office mentioned, Kurt Ford. I had a hard time holding back the tears when I heard your name and Larry's. The President said Brown instead of Bowden, but as soon as he said it I looked around and said Bowden kind of loud before I realized it. Oopss. Sorry if I embarrassed you. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I pray for your family and Larry's family everyday. I will make sure that in the years to come neither one of you are ever forgotten.

Rest easy sweet angel we have the watch from here. All my respect to you, my friend.

Heather
Larry Cox's Friend EOW 4-21-05

May 31, 2006

Officer Bowden

I heard your story at police week in Washington. I met and saw many of your co-workers. President Bush recalled your scariface on the Capitol lawn. I was so struck at the dedication and love your fellow officers showed by coming on their on to pay respect to you and your ultimate sacriface. I sat behind your mother at the Candlelight ceremony and knew her pain.

I wanted to say thank you for the dynamic person you were to inspire so many. It was an honor to hear about you and to meet so many of your co-workers.

Thank you Officer Bowden, you and your family and friends are in my prayers. My deepest and most sincere respect. Thank you for a job well done.

Debra Hickman, Mother of
Officer Cole Martin EOW 4/25/03

May 24, 2006

I was on the phone with my mom who is at our nation's Capitol in honor of all fallen law enforcement officers, when she spotted an officer wearing the red and white carnations denoting that they are the primary survivor of a fallen officer. I felt compelled to check back and try to figure out who that officer may have been, and I am guessing that the man she saw was your husband.
ALthough I do not know the pain of losing a spouse, I do know the pain and associated anger of losing a loved one to senseless gunfire. And I know how difficult it is to sit at the ceremony at the Capitol surrounded by so many who are grieving. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your loved ones today as you are honored and remembered for your sacrifice. Thank you, Officer Bowden, for your dedication. You will always be remembered as a hero. May God bless you all.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

May 15, 2006

Thinking of you & your sacrifice today.

LEO Fiancee

May 5, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 2, 2006

As a fellow sister in blue, I pause to honor and say thank you for your ultimate sacrifice. You will never be forgotten. As I put on my badge and uniform in the morning, you and your dedication will be in my mind. We share many things: policewoman, mother, loved one...I hope we sisters can do you proud.

God Bless and Rest in Peace

Officer Laura Madore
NC LEO

April 30, 2006

Molly-

In many ways your death put things in perspective for me. I had to ask myself if I was willing to give the ultimate sacrifice, and more importantly, was I prepared to do so? I never lost my faith in God, I think I just put it aside for awhile. Your death made me come to terms with the fact that we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. I did not get to work with you, unfortunately, but it sounds like you made quite an impact on those around you. I pray daily that God will give me the strength to be a light for Him, as you were, in a place that can be so dark at times. Since renewing my faith I can put on my uniform each day with the peace of knowing there is a place for me in heaven. I hope I can share this peace with my fellow officers the way you did.

See ya there...

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

April 17, 2006

Although I missed the first anniversary of your Graduation, I have thought about you many times
throughout this past year. I wonder
how your husband, your step children and your parents are coping.
Everyone that knew you loved you and is experiencing a tremendous
loss. I just hope that many have
accepted Jesus as their Savior and
are living for Him because of your
witness. Then they will be
guaranteed a place in Heaven and
have the assurance of seeing you
again. I look forward to the day I can
meet you and be your friend. It will be a sweet day of reunion when you
are reunited with your brothers and
sisters in Christ. There is no hope
beyond the grave besides that. That
is the reason we believers continue
to put one foot in front of the other &
endure the hardships of this difficult
life here on planet Earth. This is NOT our home!! God bless!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

April 1, 2006

To Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden, her husband and sons, her parents, and other loved ones:

On this the thirteenth month after your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.
I hope that our families' paths cross in D.C.

Molly, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Officer Molly Thomas-Bowden. Your courage, valor and dedication humble me.


This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Officer Thomas-Bowden gave to her community and the citizens of Missouri, and for the supreme sacrifice she and her family made on February 10, 2005.

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

March 16, 2006

Molly,

It's hard to believe it was just over a year ago since you got your calling to the Church of God Triumphant. I think of you every day, and I miss you. When you left us, I had no idea on how bad the pain would be. It went from extreme anger to sadness, and I still have anger about what happened to you. You were always nice to me, and I'll always remember how we talked the last time we spoke to each other in the station. I will always have the upmost respect for you, and you are truly the strongest person I have ever had the honor of knowing. I want you to know that we love you and miss you.

#1394

#1394 police officer
columbia police department

March 12, 2006

Every day we here about military soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice during this time of war. However, police officers have also been putting there lives on the every day. Thank you for watching over us Officer Bowden. My prayers are with you, your family, and all those that cherish your memory.

Hooah

Major Curtis Gibson
US Army

March 6, 2006

Molly,
I recently passed through Columbia while enroute from St. Louis to Kansas City on some time off with my family. As I did so, I couldn't help but think of you and the incident that so needlessy cost you your life. I've been in Law Enforcement for nearly 14 years but I didn't think of your situation from that perspective. I can recall vividly looking into my rearview mirror as I drove west on Hwy. 70 and seeing the eyes of my 4 year old little girl smiling back at me, and I can remember thinking how proud your father must be of his little girl. You were and are a very special person and Law Enforcement Officer. Although I never knew you personally I am sure of this simply by reading all the reflections left on this post. I can only hope and pray that my own very special little girl makes me as proud of her as I am sure your parents and loved ones are of you. Rest in peace. we have it from here. God be with you and all of your family and friends.

Police Officer
Ellisville, Missouri Police Department

February 26, 2006

Molly, here is a poem that I wrote in honor of you. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Jeff Pitts Class of ‘96


A WIFE, A MOTHER, A DAUGHTER, A FALLEN OFFICER

Many words can be used to describe her: mother, wife, daughter, and police officer. Molly Suzanne Bowden (Thomas). What if I said Officer Bowden #207 of the Columbia Police Department? Officer Bowden recently passed away on February 10th 2005 from a fatal gunshot while performing her duties as a Columbia Police Officer.

Molly was bon in Paris, Missouri on July 20th 1978. She moved to Rocheport in 1988 where she loved to ride her horses. She was well-liked and admired while in high school and graduated from David H. Hickman High School in 1996. Molly went on to attend Columbia College where she obtained her degree in Criminal Justice. Molly then became a Police Officer with the University of Missouri – Columbia Police Department in Columbia Missouri in 2001 and later joined the Columbia Police Department where she continued working as a Police Officer for three and a half years. While working for th University of Missouri Police Department she met an officer for the Columbia Police Department while he backed her up on a call and fell I love with that officer. He was Corey Bowden. Molly and Corey were married in Jamaica on July 29th 2003. Her marriage brought new additions to her life, two stepsons Cody and Brandon Bowden. Molly had accepted the Christian faith at the age of eight and found it important to see that her two step-sons had the same benefit. She took them to Sunday School on a regular basis. Molly had a very loving family, her mother and father, Beverly and David Thomas, and a brother, Matt.

Molly began her shift on January 10th 2005, like any other day, but this one was a cold, bitter day with the wind biting at your skin. She had decided to have lunch with her mom and dad at the last minute. After they finished lunch Officer Bowden gave her mom and dad a hug and kiss and went on with her duties. Little did they know that things were going to change forever. She was routine patrol when she observed a relatively minor traffic infraction. She made the traffic stop at the intersection of Nifong and Forum Blvds. Officer Bowden approached the vehicle to obtain the drivers information and insurance. She returned to her patrol vehicle where the in-car camera was recording. The information was checked through Joint Communications. The driver, Rick Evans, a 23 year old Columbia resident was armed with a semi-automatic assault rifle, unbeknownst to Officer Bowden. As Officer Bowden returned to the stopped vehicle, Rick Evans exited his vehicle and fired a shot at Officer Bowden. Officer Bowden retreated to the back of the stopped vehicle where Rick followed and shot three more times. Rick then fled the area. Passer bys who witnessed this event stopped and used the radio on the patrol vehicle for assistance. Officer John Gordon was the first to arrive on the scene. He found Officer Bowden on the ground in a pool of red blood that was steaming form the cold pavement. He began to administer first aide on the fallen officer. Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly after Officer Gordon and assumed the care of Officer Bowden. Officer Bowden was taken to the hospital where she remained in a drug induced coma for a month to avoid infection.

On the following day while officers were on a man hunt for Rick Evans, Officer Curtis Brown spotted the suspect. A foot pursuit ensued and resulted in a Rick Evans firing on Officer Brown. Officer Brown was struck in the right bicep by a bullet fired carelessly from the suspects hand gun in the area of Park De Ville condominiums. Rich Evans then turned his own weapon on himself inflicting a single fatal shot to the head. Officer Brown survived his wounds.

Officer Bowden passed away on February 10th 2005, exactly one month to the day. Officer Bowden paid the ultimate fired for performing her duties, she paid with her life. Now, I’d like to share something with you. I hope that it means as much to as it does me. This is the Police Officers Prayer: Oh Almighty God, whose great power and eternal wisdom embraces the universe. Watch over all policemen and law enforcement officers. Father in Heaven please give them the strength, courage and perseverance to endure the unjust condemnation, danger, and physical abuse to which they are at times subjected. We recommend them to your loving care because their duty is dangerous. Dear God, grant these brave men and women your almighty protection, unite them safely with their families after duty has ended. Amen.

Please remember Officer Molly Suzanne Bowden #207, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a fallen officer.

Police Officer Jeff Pitts #726
Truman State University Police Department

February 24, 2006

Thinking of you and your smile today. No one will ever forget you.. you know that right?

We love you.

February 20, 2006

Our class honors you today officer Bowden. As I grow to be an exceptional officer, I can only hope I have the same amount of courage you had. You will be in our prayers.

Your Brothers and Sisters,
The 95th Basic Recruit Class
Richmond Virginia

Recruit Christina T. Benkahla
Richmond Police Department

February 15, 2006