March 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A year after he was tragically killed in a crash at Dowelltown while on his way home from work, Lebanon Police Officer Joseph Bowen of DeKalb County has been honored by the Tennessee General Assembly.
A resolution, sponsored by State Senator Mark Pody and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd, was adopted by both the Senate and House last month and signed by the Governor.
The resolution is 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, the son of Dwayne and Lisa Bowen, Officer Joseph Bowen was a 2008 graduate of DeKalb County High School; that same year, he began his law enforcement career with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer and was later promoted to a deputy position; and
WHEREAS, a respected veteran with ten years of service, Officer Bowen completed Basic Police School at Walters State Training Academy in 2010; in January 2013, he joined the Lebanon Police Department, and during his tenure, he served on the Meth Lab Response Team; and
WHEREAS, a third-generation member of the Lebanon Police Department, Officer Joseph Bowen proudly followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Frank Bowen, who served until his retirement, and his father, who has served as a police officer for eighteen years; 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 Bowen and Wesley Brock Bowen; and
WHEREAS, Officer Joseph Bowen is lovingly remembered by his parents; his brother, Jacob Bowen; his uncle, Mike Bowen; his parents-in-law, Steven and Kathy Deffendoll; his nephews and niece, 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 ELEVENTH 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family of Officer Bowen.