Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Molly,

You are such a brave person for doing the things you have done in your line of work, your brave soul will always be remembered. My heart goes out to you as well as your family. RIP

Candace Belcher/Office Personel
Callaway County Sheriff's Dept.

February 16, 2005

Molly, Cory and family,
I feel sad that it is only now, in her passing that I have learned something about Molly. We could all have been blessed in knowing her. I want to thank you for giving us Molly, as she kept watch over us while she was here and will continue to do so now that she is in Heaven. Please take comfort in knowing that your love and memories of her will never fade. She will always be with you to watch over you and to talk with you. God bless you and keep you in His peace.

Susan Lewis Citizen

February 16, 2005

Well done my good and faithful servant. Rest in pease.

a Sedalia resident

February 16, 2005

To the Family of Officer Molly Bowden..
I Just wanted to let you that you and Molly are in our thoughts and prayers. One year ago today, we lost our Officer Jennifer Fettig. Please know that our family shares in your saddness. Please know that you are not alone.

Sincerely,
Karol Fitzgerald

Karol Fitzgerald
Officer Jennifer Fettig's godmother

February 16, 2005

Rest in peace sister, your bravery shall never be forgotten...

Deputy James Bradford
Bradley County Sheriff Office

February 16, 2005

God bless all whom Officer Bowden's life has touched. God Speed.

Anonymous
Missouri Board of Probation and Parole

February 16, 2005

Officer Bowden and "Blue" everywhere...thank you from the bottom of my heart! Godspeed, Molly!

Kim
Citizen, Fulton, MO

February 16, 2005

The public calls it a "Routine Traffic Stop". We call it the most dangerous encounter in our profession. Rest well little sister your sacrifice will save more LEO's than you ever imagined. God Bless you and your family. I'll see you on the other side.

TPR BEN MILLER
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

February 16, 2005

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

February 16, 2005

I didnt know officer bowden, but I was very much saddened by this needless, sensless, random act of murder!!!! I prayed that God would do a miracle, but He had different plans, but I continue to keep these families in my prayers. I am so sorry that this happened, and that the family has to go through this!!!!!

A moberly resident

February 16, 2005

Molly is a true hero and will always be remembered for her ultimate sacrifice. Best wishes to Molly's family and friends as you cope with the loss of such a wonderful person. I didn't know Molly, but her story has touched me more than I ever could have imagined. God bless Molly's fellow CPD officers. The work you do to keep us safe has never meant so much.

Columbia Resident

February 16, 2005

May we never forget this Warrior's sacrifice....May God grant Her Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends the Serenity to accept the things they can not change, Courage to change the things they can, and the Wisdom to know the difference....Rest in Peace Blue Angel...

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp Police Dept, Lewisburg, Pa.

February 16, 2005

My heart is heavy today as Columbia PD lays Officer Molly Bowden to rest. For a month, Molly fought the good fight but ultimately the obstacles she faced overcame her. But in her life, as in her death, Molly showed us that good does triumph over evil. May God bless Molly as she patrols her heavenly beat, and may God watch over and heal the sorrow of Molly's family, friends and co-workers at CPD.

Lt. Diane Kathren
Appleton WI Police Dept.

February 15, 2005

Columbia has truly lost its innocence with your passing. Rest well

Citizen

February 15, 2005

Molly,
I will think of you every day. I will pray for your family, your friends, and your family at the department, everyday. I ask you that please watch over me during my tour of duty so that I may return home safe to see my daughter every night.

Officer April Wright
Independence, Missouri Police Department

February 15, 2005

Dear Officer Bowden,

Thank you for your service to keep the community a safer place and thank you to all the police officers that work fearlessly to keep the community safe. You were so brave!

You are a very special part of my sister's life and made such a difference to her. I just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done. You are a true hero and have impacted so many lives!

Please continue to watch over my sister and all the other police officers.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and coworkers.

Sister of a Police Officer

February 15, 2005

The senselessness of Molly's death has just overwhelmed me the past few days. I am the mom of a police officer and this is so hard to accept. I can't seem to come to terms with it and I know we all must.

I just know that now EVERY SINGLE time I hug my "cop" good-bye, I am going to remember Molly. I am not going to just automatically assume that I will see my daughter again in a few hours or days or weeks. Instead, now I will think every time we say good-bye, that this could be the last time I see her.

Now I know it CAN happen to someone we love, someone we know, someone we don't want to lose. It can happen to anybody.

That will be my tribute to Molly, to never take anyone I love for granted, ever again.

God bless her family and may they find peace knowing that she meant so much to so many people. They must be very proud of the person Molly was.

God bless and help us all.

Police Officer's mom

February 15, 2005

Molly, may you rest in peace. Your story reminds me of a friend I lost a couple of years ago here in Michigan. She, too, was 26 when she was shot and killed in the line of duty. Corey--I am very sorry for the loss of your wife and stepmom of your children.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

February 15, 2005

Molly, I am so sorry we lost you. My heartfelt sympathy to your family and colleagues, and thank you to the Columbia PD for serving us so well.

Amy Adam
Columbia resident

February 15, 2005

God bless you Molly. You are a true definition of a hero. To her family, friends, and co-workers..my heart goes out to each and every one of you during this difficult time. May God watch over you and keep you close during this time of sorrow. God speed Molly.

Daughter of a Firefighter
Missouri

February 15, 2005

To the Family of Officer Bowden:
I am sorry to hear of your Loss and
also to our fellow brothers and sisters
Officers,who are in the line of Duty.
my Prayers and thoughts are with you.
from Kansas ABC Div.
May God Bless you and keep you safe
in the hours of your grief!
Agt. Libby Smith

Libby Smith Agent II
KS DEPT OF REVENUE ABC(ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL

February 15, 2005

Rest in peace Officer Bowden, you were true to your oath. On behalf of all New York State Court Officers, we exend our deepest sympathies to your family.

Sergeant James Alfieri
New York State Office of Court Administration

February 15, 2005

Rest In Peace my Sister. May God ease your family & friends pain, may he bless all who are left behind to morn your departure.

Again Rest In Peace my Sister you have earned it.

God Bless All

Retired
Indiana Detective Sgt.

February 15, 2005

To the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Bowden we express our deepest condolences. We came to Columbia during the blood drive to honor our sister and we experienced how much she truly meant to your department. We are saddened by her death and are praying the suspect will rot in hell for what he has done. We are here for you always.
To Molly, RIP and we will keep your memory alive forever in our hearts and every time we make a traffic stop. Godspeed.

Anonymous
St. Charles County Sheriff Department

February 15, 2005

May God Bless you and your family. I have been watching your progress since that fateful day in January. Thank you for all you have done. See you in heaven and please watch over all of us wearing blue. Rest in Peace

Christen Geisler
Missouri Valley College Criminal Justice

February 15, 2005