COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)
Even after her fatal death while in the line of duty 20 years ago, Columbia Police Officer Molly Bowden continues to help the community through scholarships, marathons and the annual January blood drive that was held on Friday.
Wounded by gunfire during a routine traffic stop on Jan. 10, 2005, the first blood drive was for Bowden herself before she died due to her injuries on Feb. 10.
“The night she was shot, she took so many pints of blood,” Bowden’s mother Beverly Thomas said. “I think they got the most blood they’d ever gotten a blood drive before and this gives back to the community and she is so happy to do that.”
Last year’s blood drive received 86 units of blood. At the end of Friday’s event, there were 70 units and counting, enough to help 210 people according to the Red Cross.
“Molly was always very outgoing, so she’d love to see everybody show up,” Bowden’s brother Matt Thomas said.
Blood donor Catherine Turner also participates in Molly’s Miles, a 5k, 10k and virtual marathon event that has been held annually since 2016. Last year, the event raised $50,000 for the Missouri chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. The foundation helps provides resources to the surviving families of fallen law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty.
“My husband is a retired law enforcement officer so we feel it’s very important to show our support for all enforcement families who have lost loved ones,” Turner said.
Bowden also lives on at her alma mater, Columbia College, through the Molly S. Thomas Bowden Memorial scholarship. The scholarship is given to one female student majoring in criminal justice administration or forensic science.
“There’s a lot of need for law enforcement and they put their lives on the line out there every day. And we pray for them every day and they’re just amazing people that want to do that job,” Beverly Thomas said.
Jump to comments ↓
Marie Moyer joined ABC 17 News in June 2024 as a multimedia journalist.
She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in sociology.
ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.
Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here
If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | KMIZ-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Breaking News
Severe Weather
Daily News & Weather Updates
Contests & Promotions
Accessibility Tools

source