Officer Matthew Bowen Memorial Scholarship Fund

     Vacaville police officer Matthew Bowen was 32 when he was killed on July 11, 2024. He was the first officer in the city’s history to be killed in the line of duty. He left behind a wife, Elizabeth, and two young boys, Mason and Everett, his parents and a brother.

     Matt grew up in Fairfield. He attended B. Gale Wilson school and he was graduated from Rodriguez High School in 2010. He was an active member and leader in Boy Scout Troop 853 where he earned his Eagle rank. Growing up, he was also active in sports and school band. In his late teen years, he grew passionate about body building.  He also was an active member of Fairfield Community Methodist Church. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University. 

   As an adult, he lived in Vacaville for a time before buying a home in Dixon. His police career started with the city of Concord where he worked for 3 ½ years. He transferred to the Vacaville police force in 2023, becoming a motor cop just a few months before his untimely and tragic death. While stopped to issue a traffic ticket on Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive, he was struck and killed when a car rammed into his motorcycle. The driver was charged with murder with special circumstances. The family and community are still awaiting trial.

  Matt was kind, smart, funny, and empathic. He was just a really good guy. The only thing he loved more than being a cop was his family. He adored his two little boys and the life he was building with his wife, Elizabeth. They were the light of his life. This scholarship is a small way to keep his beautiful memory alive.