CALIFORNIAN cops are in mourning after losing a dedicated officer in a freak incident on Thursday.
Officer Matthew Bowen was conducting a routine exercise when tragedy struck in Solano County, Northern California.
Bowen was a police officer who tragically died on Thursday.
He worked at the Vacaville Police Department since June 2023, having previously served at the Concord Police Department.
He had a wife, two sons, parents and a brother.
Vacaville Police Department said: “He has served with the highest level of dedication and honor, and his loss is deeply felt by the Department, the City and the community.”
Officer Bowen “devoted his life to keeping our community safe”, state Senator Bill Dodd said Thursday.
City of Vacaville Mayor John Carli said: “Officer Bowen exemplified the best qualities of our community.
“Service before self, honor, duty and country.”
Officer Bowen was struck by a driver suspected to be under the influence of drugs while conducting a traffic stop on his motorbike, the Police Department said.
He was rushed to Kaiser Hospital but his life couldn’t be saved.
The fatal crash occurred around 10:30am at the intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive.
The driver attempted to flee the scene but was detained by bystanders who made a dramatic citizens’ arrest after witnessing the horror.
The California Highway Patrol’s Golden Gate division named the driver as Serena C.J. Rodriguez, 24, from Auburn.
Officer Bowen had pulled someone over on his motorbike and was hit from behind by Rodrigeuz’s vehicle, according to the CHP.
Rodriguez has been sent to Solano County Jail facing charges of homicide and driving under the influence causing injury and/or death, CBS Sacramento reported.
Officer Bowen’s mangled motorcycle was left lying on its side at the scene.
An police procession was held for Officer Bowen in the afternoon, with an emotional scene showing the contingent parading down the Interstate 80.
