By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
MARYVILLE (WATE) - Family and friends gathered Wednesday morning to pay their final respects to an Alcoa Police officer. James Edward "Ed" Bowman, 45, died on August 17 of natural causes.
Hundreds of law enforcement from all over East Tennessee showed up to honor Bowman.
For some, being there wasn't easy. "It's probably the toughest thing I had to do ever as a law enforcement officer," said Alcoa Police Chief Ken Burge.
Officer Bowman was on the Alcoa police force since 2000, assigned to the patrol division. For two years, he also served as a K-9 officer.
"He was a person that was well-respected, well liked because he led with a smile, volunteered with everything that you can imagine, to helping other agencies, to helping students, to helping the community," Burge said.
Officer Bowman's family and friends showed up in large numbers. He leaves behind a 20-year-old daughter.
"Officer Bowman loved life, always smiling with a positive attitude and an extremely caring father. He set an example that we should all strive for," Chief Burge said.
An honor guard was present at Bowman's funeral. Before being laid to rest, a Lifestar helicopter and a Knox County Sheriff's Office helicopter performed a fly-over.
The Alcoa Police Department offices were closed Wednesday so staff could attend Officer Bowman's funeral.
The Blount County Sheriff's Office and the Maryville Police Department answered calls for service in Alcoa for the day.
Officer James Edward "Ed" Bowman (source: Alcoa Police Department)
Officers escorted Bowman's body to the cemetery.
Officer Bowman was laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery.
