March 11, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
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.