Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Molly Suzanne Thomas-Bowden

Columbia Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Thursday, February 10, 2005

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Reflections for Police Officer Molly Suzanne Thomas-Bowden

"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

December 6, 2007

We all miss you everyday. As Holidays come we think of you even more. Were having our 207 Sisters Christmas Party this coming weekend. Wish you could be here. Beverly and Dave thanks for the hayride. Again it was a blast.
We love and cherish the time we had together.

All of us
207 sisters

December 3, 2007

DEAR MOLLY, JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THANKS FOR BEING AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. MAY YOUR STAY IN HEAVEN BE A HAPPY ONE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR EVER SWEETHEART. THANKS AGAIN.

BILLY
ARNEY

November 7, 2007

Molly~
It still hurts not having you here. I miss you like crazy. I wish you were here when Laney was born. I still have and look at the pic of you holding Kennedy in the hospital. Love you girl!! :-)

Courtney Martin
Friend

October 11, 2007

Molly - I just found this poem that I wrote you when you went away.

The night they told me you had been hit,

I couldn’t stand or even sit.

The tears were flowing,

As it hurt inside,

Knowing that you may not survive.

I tried to fight the pain I felt,

Wishing I could have been there to help.

Your family and friends have been there,

But I can’t go, I’m afraid, I’m scared.

But now I know your in a place,

Where you have no worries, no fear, no race.

We all love you so very much,

Now you’re the angel that’s watching over us.

I know your up there,

Making people laugh.

Chastity, 911 Dispatcher
Friend

October 10, 2007

Molly, It's an honor for me to know you through your loving parents. I will think of you often as I pray for your Mom and Dad to find comfort in their wonderful memories of you.

Ernie Barber

October 9, 2007

Molly,
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and miss you. I can't wait for the day that we are up to no good again! I miss you so much, as does everyone else! I always run into people that want to know about you, and know details, and all I can say is that you were a true friend, a wonderful person and a great cop. God Bless you Molly!

911 Dispatcher, Chastity Hicks

August 8, 2007

It's been 2 years. I'll always remember your name and
look forward to meeting you in Paradise some day. I
love this Chris Rice song titled Untitled Hymn.

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!
Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!
And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!
And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Your memory is alive and well. Healing will only come
when those whose faith is in Christ will meet you on the
other side. Until then, we rejoice that you are with the
Savior and the cares of this earth are far from you!
Lynn Kole
Washington State

May 6, 2007

Molly,

I didn't know you well. Only met you a few times, but you struck me as a wonderful person despite my discomfort around people in police uniform.

News of this incident came as a total shock to me, and it completely changed how I look at those in uniform. It brought to light the risks they all take every day.. even in the seemingly simple, routine things.. in order to keep us safe.

I still think about you, even now, over two years later. I wonder about your family and friends, whom I've never met, but feel connected to in spirit because of you.

Thank you, Molly. Thank you for all that you did. You've touched so many.

You will never be forgotten.

C. Thompson

April 8, 2007

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

Sgt S Hughes
Elberton PD, Ga

March 31, 2007

I think about you often. Miss you.

S.D. Sutton
Past co-worker

February 26, 2007

Molly,
I just wanted to let you know that you are missed. I was thinking the other day about all the fun all of us had together in the academy, and just that whole summer in general. I will always remember your smile and laugh. God bless you and your family.
Jarrod

Jarrod Field

February 16, 2007

Thinking of you and your family this day.


Maryland Citizen

February 10, 2007

The 2nd anniversary has arrived of your EOW and you have not been forgotten. Those that love you and were close to you will never let you be forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You are a true hero. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

February 10, 2007

To the family of Officer Bowden ; Take comfort in knowing that your wife was a hero. That she had the courage to stand up to evil. I know that she is not with you in the physical sense but she will always be in your heart. I pray the God keeps you safe on patrol so you can raise your children to be adults. Gods Speed, Andrew McGahey

Andrew McGahey
Former Policeman

February 10, 2007

Hello Molly!
As we approach the 2nd anniversary of the close of your watch, I can't help but think of you more and more. You are still in my thoughts, and your mom and dad, Matt & Heather are in my prayers. Jason is getting married in April, and I know he would have loved nothing more than for you to be there. He found a wonderful girl, and I wish you could have gotten to know her. We all love you!
Clete & Kathy

Cletus & Kathy Koehler
Friend

February 5, 2007

NEVER forgotten for your courage and your supreme sacrifice.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 26, 2007

To Molly, her family and friends:

We have not forgotten you and we never will. Every day we wear pins, neck chains with your badge on it, wrist bands and such but these are just tokens of how we wear your memory in our hearts and minds. It has been just over two years since you were shot and now, more than ever, you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Molly.

Columbia Police Officers

Columbia Police Officer
Fellow Officer

January 14, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR MOLLY & TO YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 1, 2007

It's not true. Time does NOT diminish the pain! We miss you and think of you every day. God Bless.

Brad L. Nelson

December 28, 2006

Molly, I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. I still say a prayer for your family and friends and I hope that they will reach out to God for comfort during this holiday season.

Heather
Ohio State Highway Patrol

December 25, 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER MOLLY. MAY THE LORD AND ANGELS IN HEAVEN HOLD YOU IN THEIR WARM AND LOVING EMBRACE. I HOPE YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE FOUND PEACE AND HAPPINESS KNOWING THEIR LITTLE ANGEL IS SAFETLY IN HEAVEN AND I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM AND YOU EVERYDAY. GOD BLESS.

BILLY ARNEY

December 24, 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS MOLLY !!!!!!!!!!!!

December 24, 2006

Molly,
Your life and death continues to touch many. The Street Survival Seminar keeps your memory alive. I have been a LEO for 17 years and sometimes get complacent. Your story was a reminder of the risks we take every day. Thank you for your sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I wear the "courage" bracelet in your memory and as a reminder to "stay safe".

Ptl. S. Jinks #108
Gloucester Twp Police Department

November 28, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving Molly

November 23, 2006

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