
The Columbia College Criminal Justice Student Association held a short memorial on Bass Commons to honor Molly Bowden '02 in late spring. An Autumn Blaze maple tree that will be glorious come fall has been planted in her honor with a plaque honoring a "friend, public servant and fallen hero."
Bowden was the first Columbia, Mo., police officer killed in the line of duty. Her 2005 shooting by a troubled young man who next morning shot another officer, then took his own life, rocked the community.
About 50 people including about 10 policemen and firefighters attended, as did Bowden's parents, David and Beverly Thomas.
Dr. Joseph Carrier, associate professor of criminal justice administration at Columbia College, and the association provided the impetus to plant the maple tree and create the plaque. Both were funded by association bake sales and other fundraisers.

Michael Burt, Bowden's former pastor at Grace Bible Church, then led the group in prayer. He quoted Psalms 1:
"A life well lived is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Burt ended with the fervent prayer that there will no more such memorials anywhere.

Not forgotten
Carrier has ensured that the college and female criminal justice students of tomorrow will not forget Bowden, either. Carrier said he, with the vigorous support of President Brouder and Bowden's family, got a memorial scholarship up and running in one year."Molly enjoyed attending Columbia College because it provided the personal atmosphere in which she always thrived," said Molly's father, David Thomas. "This scholarship is one way to give something back to the community that has been so supportive to us, and at the same time keep Molly's memory alive."
Once fully funded, the Molly S. Thomas Bowden Memorial Scholarship will provide full tuition to a female student majoring in criminal justice administration or forensic science with a 3.0 GPA who attends the Day or Evening Campus in Columbia.
"Many people were looking for a way to honor Molly once they knew the family was being taken care of through the Officer Down Fund and other resources," said Carrier. "I am pleased the family has chosen this scholarship as her legacy. It is something that will live on in perpetuity."
4 comments:
This is a very nice tribute. Thank you for recognizing her contributions and sacrifice.
I was in the LETI police academy the year and day Officer Molly Bowden was shot. I think the man who did it is a coward and I still pray for the many family members, friends, coworkers, and other HEROS deeply affected by this devistating act! Thank you for remembering her! Without people like Molly where would we be!!!!
Never forget the fallen heros!!!
This is my first term with Columbia and I rarely read any of the things on the website but this story caught my eye. My condolences to her parents. Very nice tribute to her contributions to society and the people she served.
Chantay
This is a really good tribute to her. Also I feel lucky sharing the same Birthday as Molly and will never forget her and the sacrifice she made for her town.
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