Corporal Thomas Earl Bowles Athens Police Department Georgia Wednesday, January 16, 1985  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

On the 24th anniversary of Corporal Bowles' 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. Corporal Bowles is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
2009-01-16

CORPORAL BOWLES, YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2008-01-16

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-01-06

"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
2007-12-16

Corporal Bowles

On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sense we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department’s North Precinct will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergeant V.T. Rosen

Sergeant V.T. Rosen
Henry County Police Department
2007-01-16

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, January 16, 2006 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Corporal Thomas Earl Bowles who died in the line of duty on this date 21 years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Cpl. Bowles’ sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC
2006-01-16

When I was 16 years old, Officer Bowles issued me a speeding citation on Baxter St. It taught me quite a lesson. For the last 20 years, I've been a police officer and remember him fondly. He was a dedicated officer.

2005-09-02

Thank you for your courage and sacrifice.

Officer Terry

2004-06-20

Thanks for taking one of the many drunk drivers off of the streets. You lived your life making right the wrong things that you saw, now rest in peace because you did a job well done.

Pat
Baltimore, MD
2004-05-02