Officer Down Memorial Page

I still remember you and miss you, Mike. It's been 11 years and I still think of you fondly and wish you were still with us.

jenna
April 13, 2012

Rest in peace and may god bless you. Thinking and remembering you today

Lt.J.Pease
B.P.D
March 13, 2012

You are missed and will never be forgotten. I love you and miss you Mike. Your Dear Friend and Former Districte Court Commissioner (Baltimore City) Debbie Simmons

Senior Agent Debbie Simmons
Department of Public Safety; Friend
June 27, 2011

I can still remember clearly the first day I met Mike Cowdery jr., I had just completed a shift with a very famous Philadelphia crime investigator (Mike Cowdery sr.) who invited me to stop at his home and meet the Cowdery family. I remember meeting Mrs. Cowdery who was a gracious host. After the introduction and a few laughs I returned to the outside of the Cowdery home still talking to Mike sr. and as I prepared to leave guess who walks up to greet his father as he returned home from school, thats right Michael Cowdery jr. about 17 or 18 years old. Young Mike made a very indelible impression on me that day. Mike jr. was repectful, courteous, confident and passionate about pleasing his parents (a very good kid).
The three of us remained outside talking for about 30 additional minutes discussing the day Mike jr. just had in school, his interests and taking pictures.
Mr. & Mrs. Cowdery losing Mike jr. is a tremendous loss for you even 9 years later. Please know that my thoughts and prayers have always remained with you and all of your family, Mike jr. will never be forgotten and may God continue to bless you. all.

Sgt. Maurice Lanier
Philadelphia Police Department
March 13, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 13, 2010

Mike,
I can't believe that so many years have past since your death but it seems like yesterday when I got the news. That was one of the worst nights in my tenure with BPD. NED will never be the same. I remember we use to go to breakfast after getting off the midnight shift and just hang out. Those were the days. Also, I connected with your son, via internet. He has truly grown to be a fine young man. You would be so proud. Mike, you are gone, but NEVER forgotten. We miss you.

Tiffany
friend
August 8, 2009

I can still remember times when Mike would respond to the County side of Garden Village when I called for help during the midnight shift. I only wish I could have been there for him :(

Detective C. Saunders
BCoPD
July 3, 2009

I was looking at the last picture taken of us on VC's lawn right before graduation. You, Parris, Leon, Maureen, Kevin and I spent a lot of time together in DuBois. Those were the good old days. I think of you often...... Thanks for the gift of friendship. Rest in peace

Tracie
HIU Family
June 28, 2009

I DID NOT KNOW AGENT COWEDRY BUT I GREW UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HE WAS KILLED IN. I GREW UP WANTING TO BE A POLICE OFFICER AND LOOKING UP TO THEM. AGENT COWDERY'S DEATH EFFECTED ME AND I ALWAYS REMEMBER HIS NAME AND SAY A PRAYER WHEN I DRIVE OR WALK PAST THE PLACE THAT HIS MURDER TOOK PLACE. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AGENT MICHAEL J. COWEDRY AS A HERO THAT DIED TRYING TO MAKE EAST BALTIMORE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY. THANK YOU MICHAEL

KEVIN

SGT Kevin Lassiter
US Army
June 26, 2009

Hi buddy,
Last year, I visited you and left you my old BPD hat.
I was just telling someone last week about the time we had driver training together at Memorial Stadium. The academy instructors were supposed to tell us "left" or "right" as we came nervously barreling down the lane of cones in an old beat up patrol car. There was silence as we approached the split, and you just drove straight ahead, cones flying everywhere. We laughed so hard, but the instructors who forgot to give us the signal, laughed even more..that is just one of many great memories I have of you my friend. I miss seeing your smile bud.

Dave Crossley
APD
June 13, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 13, 2009

Dear Officer Cowdery, today is the 8th anniversary of your passing. I cannot thank you enough for you service and dedication to your work and family. Today we are a much safer community because of your concerted effort to keep our streets safe. Rest in peace.

Anonymous
March 13, 2009

Michael,
I still think about you, and always have. I never wanted anything but the best and the happiest for you. You were the sweetest, the kindest, and the wittiest. A bit of light went out of this world when it lost you.

jenna
October 2, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
April 8, 2008

Michael was a great person and a fabulous father. And I know that he is as proud of our son as I am, as he enters the University of Md. Michael is Matt's angel, and although we miss him dearly I'm comforted by the thoughts of him always watching over Matt. We love and miss you.

Monica
Matt's Mom
January 2, 2008

Mike was a good friend and officer, he is missed and remembered at the NED.

Police Officer Shawn Williams
B.C.P.D and a friend
December 31, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
November 7, 2007

Hey Babyface,

Just was on here reading some of your reflections. I just want you to know that I havent forgotten you. Miss you friend.

See you when I get there.

Tony Lovette

Tony Lovette
Friend
May 12, 2007

I was 19 when you died, fresh outta school.Its funny how God can allow some of the negative things in life to a catalist for awe inspiring positive things; your death has been one of the reasons Ive committed myself to justice. God bless your family, C u when i get there bro !

Specialist l. Lamont J Echols
Baltimore School Police Department
April 30, 2007

I was 19 when you died, fresh outta school.Its funny how God can allow some of the negative things in life to a catalist for awe inspiring positive things; your death has been one of the reasons Ive committed myself to justice. God bless your family, C u when i get there bro !

Specialist l. Lamont J Echols
Baltimore School Police Department
April 27, 2007

i read through your reflections and the one that truly touched me was the one from your special friend who called you "baby mikey." my heart goes out to her as she struggles for closure and understanding. my heart goes out to you--for you made the ultimate sacrifice. and while we are well aware of the fact that it could be any of us on any given day, when it does happen...we are always caught unaware and unprepared. from the description that your friend gave, you seem to be an awesome guy--a friendly face in this often ugly and cruel world. i pray that you rest in peace and that your friend will see you again. take care, rest easy, and know that the thin blue line is still in effect.

Corporal
Prince George's County Police
April 20, 2007

it is the 6th anniversary of your EOW. Thank you for all you did in your short life here on earth. Rest in peace.

Melissa
wife of a leo

March 13, 2007

i remember that night like it was yesterday. you and i were sitting at the desk at cbif talking about our sons. i remember telling you that you had a baby face and your nickname should be baby mikey. you laugh and it filled my soul. we talked and talked. i asked why be a police officer if you have a degree, you replied it was my dream. i wanted to be just like my dad. i told you i wish i could find a guy like you. you said are you busy tomorrow. i stated i'll be here you stated i'll bring dinner. i just laugh. for some reason it was just that thought that counted. you asked why haven't i ever talked to you before. isaid i quiet. i asked you the same you said i am quiet to. after you left i just remember holding your number and smiling, finally a decent guy. sitting at the desk i heard signal 13 officer down. i heard your partner but i did not hear you. i remember ever officer in the building took off. i just kept praying baby mikey say something. when i hear it on the news i knew. i called your phone and there was no answer. i called and called. i just want you to answer... we had a date tomorrow. i wish i would have talk to you earlier or got to know you sooner.
to mr. m.c. sr
you have a beautiful son who absolutely admired you. i hope you are proud of him because he was proud of you.
thank you for being michael's dad and putting some into him. thank you thank you thank you for sharing him.
thanks to his mother and to india and michael jr. for understand the job and allowing him to live his dream.
i miss you michael aka baby mikey

a ver special friend
dear friend
February 24, 2007

God bless you and those you left behind

Patrol Officer
Scituate,MA
December 15, 2006

Mike

Man how I miss you I can still see you and that smile you use to have. Sgt Miller thought it was cute. Iam still doing this with you help of course. It keeps me going back to when we first arrived in NE District miss you very much

Semper Fi
JJMcdowell
F114

P/O James J McDowell
FAU
August 8, 2006