Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Bowden,now your shift is over and your fellow officers will take over from here. I am from Mexico Mo but have followed your situation from the tragic beginning. Makes me proud to see such a brave person,but feel so bad for the outcome of it all. God bless you and your family as well as you brother and stster officers. Thank you for your BRAVE service, and now you have been called to your maker to serve his glory. Peace and god be with you forever.

Thanks again,
Russell Elliott

Son in law of a fellow brave retired police officer

RIP

Russell Ellott
Citizen

February 11, 2005

Dear Molly..
I am sorry for what happened. May god bless you, your family and your department. Rest in peace dear sister. We'll patrol the streets of hell for you.

Police Officer Danny Ramirez
Bell Gardens P.D. - Los Angeles County

February 11, 2005

Mr. Bowden, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas, Family and Friends,
You will be in my families thoughts and prayers, as you will be in the rest of Columbia's. I'm so sorry for your loss. Stay Strong.

February 11, 2005

rest easy blue angel ... we'll carry on the watch

February 11, 2005

May all who knew, worked with and loved Molly be comforted knowing that by God's grace she is safe in Heaven.

Agent Sam Hopper
Glendale PD

February 11, 2005

Nothing anyone can say will help with the pain of this great loss. Just feel comfort that this warrior is now looking over all of us and keeping watch when we are not.

Deputy Sheriff Rusty Montgomery
Seminole County Sheriffs Office

February 11, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Bowden.

Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace.

An LEO wife

February 11, 2005

MAY GOD BE WITH OFFICER BOWDENS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS IN THIS THERE TIME OF SORROW.

PATROLMAN CHAD MULLEN
HORNELL CITY PD NY

February 11, 2005

My sincere condolences to the family, friends, and the Columbia Police Department for the loss of Officer Bowden.

Sgt. Steve Redding
Columbus Ohio Division of Police

February 11, 2005

God bless you Sister and receive you into His loving arms for you have earned your place among the Heroes of Heroes. No words are adequate enough to express the horror and tradgety you faced. We are proud you are one of us of The Thin Blue Line. Be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

February 11, 2005

My prayers go out to P.O. Bowden's husband, family and friends as well as the Columbia P.D.. I did not know Molly but I will never forget her sacrifice. God's speed to you Officer Bowden God's speed.

Det. Nancy Cadenhead
St. Louis County Police Department

February 11, 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

Rest In Peace Officer Bowden

Ptl Barbara A Borges #12
Washington Twp PD Mercer County

February 11, 2005

I knew Molly in Jr. high and high school from church. I always thought she was such a cute, sweet, & fun girl. I heard the news and couldn't help but think what a terrible trajedy this is for Molly and her family. But, then I took a moment and imagined Molly in heaven worshiping with our Lord, Jesus. It's helpful to remember that she's in such a better place than we are and that's a reason to celebrate! Those who know Jesus as Molly did will get to spend eternity with her.

February 11, 2005

God Speed Officer, you will not be forgotten.

K. Rose
Lehi PD (Utah)

February 11, 2005

Watch over us from your heavenly beat, dear sister, while we cover your's down here.

My condolences you your family and friends. May your seat in heave be closest to God.

Police Officer Jim Orlando, Retired
Detroit Police Department

February 11, 2005

MoBo

I'm writing this here because I couldn't bring myself to speak without crying when I was standing at your bed side the last time I saw you. I speak for all of us when I say you will never, ever be forgotten.

I will never let you down again. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you when you needed someone the most. I,ve learned more in the last month about living and the ability to fight then I have in a life time.

I've thought of you daily since the night of the shooting. I can honestly say I will think of you daily from now on. I want other officers who read this to know that they would have been lucky to ride shotgun to you because........ YOU DID EVERYTHING RIGHT!!!!!

Molly, please know we'll take of those you left behind in this world and I pray that you will watch over those of us that are still here. I know you will because that is the kind of person that you are.


your grateful friend
#1403

Ofc.#1403
COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 11, 2005

In the Line of Duty

A shot rings out;
It shatters the crisp night air.

To my partner I shout,
"Get the hell out of there!"

As I return fire,
And the suspect turns and flees,

I am left with only one desire;
I must bring him to his knees.

I see my partner lying on the ground
In a pool of crimson blood!

She lies quietly without making a sound
In a pool of crimson blood!

Now, I must use my radio to tell
How in the line of duty another cop fell.

I wrote this poem many years ago to honor those officers killed in the line of duty. It seems appropriate to share it here.

Although, I did not know Molly, I have heard many great things about her. We have all lost a sister, but nothing can compare to the Bowden and Thomas family's loss of a friend, wife, step-mother and daughter. Our prayers go out to them and the Columbia Police Department. May God grant you the strength to continue on with life's journey.

Chief Charles Anderson
Auxvasse, Missouri Police Department

February 11, 2005

Dear Molly,
There is nothing any of us out here can say or do to make your family & police departmet feel better.
Even though I didn't know you, Even though so many of us have retired from police work, we still love and will miss you. You're still my sister.
God Bless you and your family.

Christopher Sager
Retired, Kansas City Missouri Police Department

February 11, 2005

Ofc. Bowden you are in our thoughts & prayers. You are a "true American Hero" and you have finished a job well done. You gave it all and the Law Enforcement Family thanks you for your dedication. May God Bless you husband and give him strength through this time of sorrow.

Chief Roger Green
Kibler Police Department Kibler Arkansas

February 11, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER BOWDEN, HER FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

February 11, 2005

I only had the opportunity to meet you once it was during a ride-a-long with one of your fellow officers, but I could tell during our short conversation of your love for the job. The men and women who wear the uniform and badge are special people they are the braviest of the brave and are always expected to look danger square in the eye when everyone else is running away. Not everyone is made to be a police officer, but Molly was.
Thank You very much for you sacrifice and dedication to the people of Columbia Mo.

Allied Security INC

February 11, 2005

Thank you for your service. You are truly a special person.

LEO wife
Marion County SO (Ohio)

February 11, 2005

You are a true hero that gave your all to the citizens and visitors of Columbia. You will be dearly missed by your brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community.

A Officer
St. Louis County Police

February 11, 2005

The staff of Deja Vu extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Molly Bowden. We are truly thankful for the work and protection provided by our Columbia Police Department, and this unfortunate event will serve as a reminder of the risks officers endure for our community for years to come.

Matthew Istwan, Managing Partner
Deja Vu Comedy Club

February 11, 2005

My condolences and prayers are with your family, friends and fellow police officers. Rest in Peace Molly. Job well done!!

Delores Fisher, Mother of Officer John F
Ashland Missouri Police Department

February 11, 2005