1,250 turn out for trooper’s funeral

VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE FUNERAL

Amid tears and laughter, funny stories about his “Mighty Mouse” quest to save the world and sad stories about his death two weeks before his wedding, friends, family and co-workers said goodbye to Virginia State Police Trooper Adam Bowen today.

More than 1,250 people crowded into the gym at Washington and Lee High School in Montross for the funeral. State troopers from Connecticut and Vermont, Maine and Maryland, Mississippi and Missouri paid their respects, as did at least one member of the California Highway Patrol. There also were deputies, firefighters and rescue squad members, representing areas from Northern Virginia to the Tidewater region.

Several State Police officials told stories about Bowen’s dedication and work ethic. His brother, Kevin, talked about his dry sense of humor and what a sharp dresser he was. His pastor read a statement from his father, Glenn, saying that Bowen wouldn’t know what to make of all the attention paid to him today, simply saying he was just doing his job.

But no one moved the crowd more—or was more the model of grace and composure—than his fiancee, Rachael Michie. She called the man, whom she would have married next Saturday, both strong and gentle, mischievous and dedicated, hard-working and honest. “If he loved you, you knew it,” she said. “If he didn’t, you knew that, too.”

EARLIER POST:

State Police troopers from Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Missouri and Michigan are here in Montross for the funeral of Virginia State Police Trooper Adam Bowen. Officers from dozens of sheriff’s offices, from Northern Virginia to Portsmouth, are represented as well.

There’s already a line of more than 40 motorcycles that will lead the funeral procession from Washington and Lee High School to burial at the nearby Rappahannock Baptist Church in Montross. And because there are up to 1,000 people expected, someone’s got to get all those people parked and situated. About 20 deputies from Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg have that responsibility—and it’s a hot one. Literally. Some of them have been out here since 8 this morning, going over the plan for logistics. The thermometer says 87 degrees, but it’s got to be hotter than that on the black asphalt. They’re all dressed to the nines, too, in long-sleeve uniforms. Everyone’s got a black ribbon over his or her badge, as a sign of mourning. Some of the officers are wearing white gloves.

It’s what law-enforcement officers do, for one of their own. Doesn’t matter what agency the fallen officer represents.

“It’s that bond we have, you know, the bond that all law-enforcement has,” said Trooper T.A. Knight from Charlottesville. “We’re gonna be here. Any time it happens to one of our own, whether it’s someone in our agency or another one, we’re gonna do everything we can for them and their family.”

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/kinggeorge/2011/06/28/the-bond-of-law-enforcement/

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1,250 turn out for trooper’s funeral