Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH I HAVE SOME FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE POLICE OFFICERS AND ECT.

RICK
NONE

March 20, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out the officer's family.

W.S. Blevins
Springfield/Greene County 9-1-1

March 19, 2005

Many fine comments and memories have been posted here to honor Officer Molly Bowden. However, I must tell you that you would have to have personally known Molly to truly appreciate the person she was and the legacy she left behind.

At the crime scene where Molly was shot there is an ongoing arrangement of flowers, a hand full of American flags and, more recently, a cross standing nearly 4 feet high, bearing the words "Thank you Molly" has been permanently erected. This stands as a reminder to us all that Molly is in a better place.

Thank you, Molly. It was my privilege to know you.

Kevin Corbley, EMT-P
University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital and Clinics

March 18, 2005

I just read about Officer Bowden. What a tradgedy. It is a mystery to us all why such fine young officers are taken from us. I suppose we'll know when we gather in heaven.
To her family and friends, just know that there are lots of folks out here that care deeply.....even old retired cops in Texas like me. I served on the streets for nearly 30 years and to hear of such tradgedies as this is heartbreaking.
To the co-workers of Officer Bowden, don't question your choice of profession. Just read Romans 13:1-5. It will affirm your beliefs.
God bless her husband, family, friends and co-workers.

Patrolman D.E. Hutchison, retired
Irving, Texas Police Department

March 16, 2005

The first time I visited this website was when I lost my beautiful identical twin sister in the line of duty Jan 16, 2003. When I saw your face the first thing I saw was how beautiful you are!!! It takes a strong woman to be a police officer and you are owed much respect. I will pray for you and your family, but I will never understand.

You are my hero
Identical Twin Sister of Sheila Herring Norfolk Police Dept the first female killed in the line of duty 01/16/03

March 14, 2005

When I first read of this terrible tradgedy I couldn't even write - my heart ached so for Molly's family, fellow officers and friends. Why do these things happen? How do you get through each day with such a great ache inside? I only wish there was something I could say to help ease the pain, please know you are thought of with much love. God be with you

Mother of officer EOW 1-1-98

March 14, 2005

What can one say about one so young,
Like all your fellow officers before you and all that unfortunately shall follow, "A waste" we hope not, for thanks to your sacrifice we have a chance at a better life, saddened so much yet eternaly gratefull.
Thankyou Officer Bowden Thankyou

March 12, 2005

Molly you were so brave. You gave your time and energy not only to the police force and the community but to your family. You were so loved and respected. You were a year younger than I and your death hit home the importance of family, friends and the community. To always cherish each moment we have with them as it may be our last I say a prayer for your family and friends. God be with them. You are with God and can watch over them as an angel. Thank You for your service. Rest in Peace.

Melissa
27 year old civilian-Jefferson City, MO

March 11, 2005

Molly, you have served your community and country with honor and pride. Your tour of duty is now complete, we will handle the rest from down here. To the family of Molly you are in my prayers and remember that you are now part of a much larger family. To the men and women of the Columbia Police Department hang your heads high and stay safe, and watch your backs.

Detective Frist Grade Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department/Homicide Branch/Washington DC

March 8, 2005

My heart aches knowing that the life of another of our Country's finest has been cut short. The call to duty lives on each day I awake, and so will Officer Bowden in the lives of those who serve as peace keepers.

Assistant Chief of Police Jessey Hiebert
Hillsboro Police Department-Hillsboro, KS.

March 7, 2005

So much promise lost. Another casualty in an on-going war.

She died in one of this country's most honourable professions, as a combatant on the line where chaos meets order.

I recently watched videos of the risks law enforcement officers take just doing traffic stops along the highway, thanks to rubber-neckers and idiot drivers. I was a child when children were taught to respect the police as public servants. I have even more respect for them, now, taking their lives in their own hands every day for the likes of ordinary citizens like me.

Thank you for bringing your heroic daughter into the world.

Clif Addison III
Civilian

March 6, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Molly did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Molly be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Bowden's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Molly is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Molly was well respected and well loved. Molly sounds like an amazing lady. You were blessed to have had her in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Officer Bowden for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

March 6, 2005

Officer Bowden,

Rest in Peace my Sister.. You held your own and for this I am proud. God Bless your family and the Columbia Police Department. You are gone, but never forgotten...GODSPEED

Officer
North Carolina

March 5, 2005

As Molly's 4H leader when she was young, I came to love and appreciate her special spirit. The special time we shared then and later when taking College Classes with Molly, we grew even closer. Molly had a faith that she brought to every situation. I will always cherish the time we shared, and my family was so fortunate to have had you in our lives. You finally got your wings sweet girl. We'll keep all your family in our prayers. You will be so missed, we loved you so much. God Bless

Officer Lynn Barber, Adult Court Service
Boone County Court Services

March 4, 2005

MY SON IS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE STATIONED AT WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE. HE IS IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER FIELD. HE IS CLOSE FRIENDS WITH A FAMILY WHICH KNEW MOLLY VERY WELL. HE KEPT ME ABREAST OF HER C0NDITION AT ALL TIMES. IT WAS A SAD MOMENT WHEN HE TOLD ME THAT MOLLY HAD PASSED. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, I REALIZE AND ACCEPT THE FACT THAT, AT ANY MOMENT, I MAY FACE THE SAME SITUATION THAT MOLLY FACED. TO HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN, I AM TRULY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. TO HER FELLOW OFFICERS, KEEP THE FAITH.

MARCOS RODRIGUEZ
MIAMI, FLORIDA

OFC. MARCOS N. RODRIGUEZ
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY POLICE DEPT.

March 4, 2005

I'm sincerely sorry that Mrs. Bowden was gunned down. I'm always saddened to hear that a police officer was killed in the line of duty by some yahoo with a gun. It's everybody's right to own one but there are many people out there who don't use their mind wisely and things like this happen. Once again I am sincerely sorry to hear about your loss because you feel this more strongly than I ever could being her loved ones and coworkers. Sincerely and with lots of love,

Jason Wheaton
St. Louis, MO 63043

Jason Wheaton
Self

March 4, 2005

Remember to always tell your husband or wife and kids that you love them before you walk out the door. You never know when it will be your last time to tell them.
God Bless!

Kathy - wife of Ohio Highway Patrol
Ohio State Highway Patrol

March 2, 2005

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ANOTHER TRUE HERO IN BLUE TAKEN FROM US IN VEIN.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR COURAGE, MOLLY!

N. TEXAS POLICE AGENCY

March 2, 2005

God Bless you and your family.

S.Bullock
Douglasville, GA

March 1, 2005

To the Family of, and the fellow Officers of Officer Molly Bowden: My name is Bowden too, and I am a Police Officer in Texas. God bless you all, and God bless you Molly. I will always remember your name when I attend Mass and I will always pray for your family. Rest in peace my sister. We will carry your duty from here on. Respects - Officer J.L. Bowden

Officer J.L. Bowden
Port Neches, Tx. PD

March 1, 2005

FIRST OFF I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OFFICER BOWDEN FOR HER COMMITMENT AND SELF SACRIFICE THAT MAKES US ALL PROUD AND HONERED TO HAVE SOMEONE OF HER CALIBER AS A MEMBER OF OUR CHOSEN PROFESSION.
I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO OFFICER BOWDENS HUSBAND, CHILDREN, FAMILY, AND HER FELLOW OFFICERS WITH THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT. ALL OF YOU WILL BE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, AND MAY GOD BLESS.

SGT R PAYNE #116
BLUE MOUND PD TX

March 1, 2005

You are constantly in our prayers sister, you put up a valiant fight. We will forever serve with the spirit you have shown us all.

Ofc. Scott Soha
Columbus Division of Police

March 1, 2005

I did not personally know Molly but after following the last month of her life and praying for her every day, I began feeling very close to her. She was a daily household word in our home. My 9 year old daughter would ask every day how Molly was. We love you Molly. We know we lost a great protector and leader. We also know there is an Angel in heaven now watching over us. We love you!

The Hulen's
Hallsville, MO

Deena

February 28, 2005

To the family and friends of Officer Bowden, and to the CPD members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Sister.

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheri'ff's Office, FL

February 28, 2005

To Molly and her family:

This tragedy is our loss, and heaven's gain. It's not so much how you died that makes you a hero...it is how you lived your life. God Bless all of you.

Sgt. Mark Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville, AR Police Dept.

February 28, 2005