In the early hours of February 16, 2004, a routine traffic stop on Gilbert Avenue in Detroit turned into a scene of devastating violence. Matthew Edmond Bowens, a 21-year-old Caucasian male and a dedicated police officer with the Detroit Police Department, was on duty with his partner, Officer Jennifer Fettig. The two officers were in their patrol car, processing the license plate information of a vehicle they had pulled over at approximately 2:00 a.m.
when the driver of the stopped vehicle emerged and opened fire on them with a. 40 caliber handgun.
Without warning, a barrage of bullets struck the patrol car. Officer Bowens was hit three times in the initial assault, while his partner, Officer Fettig, was struck five times. Despite his grievous injuries, Officer Bowens managed to exit the vehicle and return fire, discharging his weapon three times before turning his attention to his fallen partner and calling for backup. In a horrifying turn of events, the assailant reappeared, shooting Officer Bowens six more times before stealing his service weapon and fleeing the scene. The entire tragic encounter was partially captured by the patrol car's dashboard camera, a silent witness to the brutal attack.
Both officers were rushed to Henry Ford Hospital. Officer Bowens was pronounced dead upon arrival. His partner, Officer Fettig, fought for her life but succumbed to her injuries 12 hours later. The video evidence from the patrol car proved crucial in the investigation, leading to the swift apprehension of the shooter and his brother just a few hours after the incident.
The man responsible for the deaths of the two officers was charged with four counts of first-degree murder. He was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. The convicted killer remained incarcerated until his own death on October 15, 2010. Officer Bowens, who had served with the Detroit Police Department for three years and was assigned to the 4th Precinct, was the youngest of four sons and lived at home with his parents at the time of his death.
