Accident takes life of South Lyon man who protected U.S. presidents
7:27 PM, Mar. 8, 2011 |
Jeff Bowman with daughters Brooke and Lexi.
Jeffrey D. Bowman of South Lyon had a sterling career in law enforcement. After four years in the U.S. Army, he served 12 years in the U.S. Secret Service, and was charged with protecting three U.S. presidents. For the past nine years, he worked for the Department of Homeland Security and was in charge of the federal marshals dedicated to protecting the passengers on flights out of Detroit.
Kristen Calder-Bowman, his wife of 17 years, said he died Sunday afternoon doing what he does best, protecting people.
Around 1:40 p.m., Bowman, 45, was driving his 2007 Ford Edge eastbound on Eight Mile Road near Beck Road in Northville Township, when a 2007 Jeep Liberty crossed over the center line and struck Bowman’s vehicle. Bowman’s 11-year-old daughter, Lexi, was in the backseat.
Kristen believes her husband saw the accident coming and angled the car so his side of the vehicle would take the brunt of the impact, sparing their daughter any serious harm.
“Jeff was a protector. He always told me he would die protecting someone. He thought it would be in the air fighting off a hijacker,” she said. “In the end, he died protecting what he cared about more than anything else, his family. I have no doubt he saved our daughter’s life. We are so proud of him. And I’m sure he is proud, too.”
Bowman’s daughter suffered minor injuries, according to friend Patricia Fantanzian, who worked with him at the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration Office of Law Enforcement Federal Air Marshal Service in Detroit.
“A bystander was able to yank her out of the car,” Fantanzian said. “She is doing great considering what she has been through. She has been asking a lot of questions, but she is OK.”
Bowman was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of the Jeep Liberty, a 48-year-old man from Belleville, was transported to Botsford Hospital, where he was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.
Northville Township police officials said the accident investigation is ongoing.
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Fantanzian said Bowman was in charge of scheduling all federal marshals on flights departing from Detroit that traveled the globe, a job he held since 2002. Before that, he served in Washington, D.C., where he was a sergeant with the Secret Service. He protected three presidents: George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He also served four years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
“He was so respected. He is irreplaceable,” Fantanzian said. “This is just such a terrible tragedy.
“He had some incredible stories about all the dignitaries he has protected over the years. He was just such an interesting person. He will be missed,” she added.
In addition to Lexi, the Bowmans have one other child, 9-year-old daughter Brooke. His wife said he cared about his family above all else.
“Number one, he was dedicated to his children. He spent as much time with them as possible. On the Saturday before he died, he took them shopping. He was very hands on,” she said. “Jeff would always take the first day of school off and the last day of school off. Those were big milestones in our family. He was very serious about the education of our girls and he was extremely active in their education. The girls know that, and will remember that.”
Bowman was also dedicated to his career, though he often kept it to himself. He rarely talked about the fact that he rubbed shoulders with presidents and other dignitaries.
“He was always humble about it. In fact, it was exhausting much of the time. He did not brag about it, because he remembered where he came from,” Kristen said.
Bowman was very active in the community, including at the Cross of Christ church, and the South Lyon Soccer Club.
Bowman is the son of the late Donald and the late Ellen Bowman; son-in-law of Kathy Murray and William (Angela) Calder; brother of Carol (Nick) Schenavar, Donald (Linda), Marguerite “Linda,” Dollie, Sheryl (Dr. Mark) Pettovello, Timothy Murphy and the late James. He is also loved by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held 1-8 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Casterline Funeral Home, 59255 10 Mile Road, South Lyon. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Ward Presbyterian Church, 40000 Six Mile Road, Northville.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to a trust being formed to benefit Lexi and Brooke.
