State Senator Mark Pody introduced a resolution in the State Senate Thursday to honor the memory of the late Lebanon Police Officer Joseph Bowen of DeKalb County.

Officer Bowen lost his life in a traffic accident at Dowelltown on March 1.

The resolution, supported by State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd, will be scheduled for passage in the State Senate and State House.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Joseph Bowen; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen was a brave and dedicated law enforcement officer who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities; and

WHEREAS, a respected veteran with five years of service, Officer Joseph Bowen was a third-generation member of the Lebanon Police Department; he began his career in law enforcement with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer and was later promoted to a deputy position; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen performed his appointed duties in an admirable manner that distinguished him as a credit to both his community and his profession; Lebanon and DeKalb County were undoubtedly made better and safer places as a result of his service; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen was an active and devout member of Old Fashioned Freewill Baptist Church in Smithville, which he served faithfully for many years; and

WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and

WHEREAS, Officer Bowen enjoyed the loving companionship of his wife, Kim Bowen, and he was the proud father of Katy Jo and Wesley Brock Bowen; he was the loving son of Dwayne and Lisa Bogle Bowen and the treasured brother of Jacob Bowen; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen is lovingly remembered by his uncle, Mike Bowen; his parents-in-law, Steven and Kathy Deffendoll; his nieces and nephews, Knox Bowen, Lacey
McMillen, and Cole McMillen; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kayla Bowen, Brandon Deffendoll, Chris McMillen, and Kristina McMillen; and

WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Helen Bowen and Lemuel and Betty Bogle; and

WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity, probity, and valor in his public life as a law enforcement officer, compassion and loyalty in private life, and dedication in all his chosen endeavors; and

WHEREAS, this General Assembly wishes to honor the memory of this exceptional police officer and human being; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that on behalf of a grateful public, we honor the memory and celebrate the life of Officer Joseph Bowen of the Lebanon Police Department. We express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Officer Bowen.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation.

A 29 year old Spencer man escaped serious injury in a one vehicle rollover crash Friday morning on Highway 70 east in the Midway area.

Trooper Bobby Johnson of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said Rayford Keen was traveling west in a 2014 Honda CRV when he went off the right side of the highway and overturned down an embankment. The vehicle came to rest on its side against a tree. Keen said he lost control after a car in front of him stopped to make a left turn into a private driveway. Keen refused transport to the hospital by EMS but planned to seek medical treatment on his own. He was cited for failure to exercise due care.

Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were also on the scene.

Today, Wilson County attorney and Democrat Mary Alice Carfi, announces she will run for the state Senate seat she narrowly lost during the Special Election in 2017.

In the two-and-a-half month-Special Election, Carfi came within 307 votes, or 2.6 percent, of defeating her Republican opponent in a solidly red district that consists of Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith and Wilson counties.

“We came incredibly close to winning the District 17 seat in the special election last year,” Carfi noted. “Because many volunteers put in a lot of hard work, we won three of the six counties in the district and lost Wilson by only 79 votes.

“Since the special election on Dec. 19, people throughout District 17 have encouraged me to run again,” Carfi said. “People who weren’t able to volunteer in the special election are already stepping forward to do so in 2018. I can feel how excited and hopeful my fellow Tennesseans are for a chance to make their voices heard.”

“I am running because it is time to take our state back,” Carfi said. “It’s time to focus on the issues that matter. It’s time to show our children that by giving others an opportunity to improve their education, their jobs and their healthcare, we make our state a better place to live.

As an attorney in a solo-practice in Mt. Juliet, Carfi can relate to the issues that affect the small business owners throughout District 17.

“People are ready for our government to do something different. Our current senator is continuing down the same path he took in the House of Representatives. It is time for a change,” she said.

“We need representation that will make the lives of our citizens better by working to expand Medicaid, advocating for a wage that allows workers to provide for their families, and demanding equal pay for equal work for women.”

Carfi believes in creating real jobs for Tennessee workers with wages that can sustain their families. She believes in letting teachers teach and students learn. “And I believe that NO ONE should have to decide between feeding their family and paying for their prescriptions,” she added.

“I am running because I care about the people of our state. It is our state legislators’ job to pass laws that improve our state. My representatives haven’t been focusing on the things that matter. When hospitals are closing, and people can’t afford medical care, it doesn’t matter which bathroom a person uses,” Carfi said.

As a general practice attorney, Carfi often works with people who have differing opinions. “It’s my job to bring these people together; to help them compromise when and where it’s necessary, so that a positive result can be agreed upon by all parties.

“It’s time for some common sense in Tennessee’s Senate, and I ask for your support and your vote so I can bring this to our legislative body.”

Carfi grew up in Smith County, the daughter of Don and Phyllis Eckel of Gordonsville. She is the granddaughter of the late Pete and Evelyn Watts, who owned Watts Angus Farm. Pete Watts was a well-known building contractor in Middle Tennessee and owner of Watts Construction Company.

She has one daughter, Alexia, 9, and is a member of the Carthage United Methodist Church, where she sings in the choir. She and her husband, Jamie, are both members of the Bert Coble Singers in Lebanon. She also serves on the Bert Coble Singers Leadership Team.

Carfi is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the 15th Judicial District Bar Association. She is a graduate of Smith County High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice administration from Middle Tennessee State University. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Nashville School of Law. She was chosen as the Best Attorney in Mt. Juliet in 2018 and 2016 by the readers of The Chronicle of Mt. Juliet newspaper.

For more information about Carfi and her campaign, visit her website at www.electmaryalice.com and follow her on social media accounts on Facebook, ElectMaryAlice; Twitter @ElectMaryAlice; and Instagram, @ElectMaryAlice. Emails may be sent to info@maryalicecarfi.com or call 615-547-8046.