VACAVILLE, Calif. — The memorial service for the first Vacaville police officer killed in the line of duty will be streamed to the city's YouTube page Tuesday.
Officer Matthew Bowen was killed during a traffic stop when he was hit by a suspected DUI driver on July 11. The Solano County District Attorney's Office accused the driver, Serena CJ Rodriguez, of intentionally killing Bowen.
Watch Livestream
On July 23, Vacaville will mourn its first line of duty death. Due to limited space, the services will be closed to the public, but it will be livestreamed on the city's YouTube page. It'll start at 10:30 a.m.
Procession Route
After the service, there'll be a procession. This is the time when people will be able to pay their respects to the slain officer as the procession passes.
- Starts at Father's House at 4800 Horse Creek Drive
- Horse Creek Drive to Ackerly Drive
- Left turn onto Ackerly Drive
- Left turn onto Vaca Valley Parkway
- Left turn onto Browns Valley Parkway
- Right turn onto Allison Drive
- Right turn onto E Monte Vista Avenue
- Left turn onto Depot Street
- Right turn onto Mason Street
- Left turn onto Merchant Street with a final pass by the Police Department
- Left turn to Alamo Drive
- Left turn to Nut Tree Road
- Left turn to Elmira Road
- End at Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery
A map is available at this link.
Who was Matthew Bowen?
Officer Matthew Bowen joined the Vacaville Police Department on June 13, 2023.
On the morning of July 11, 2024, Bowen was conducting a traffic stop when he was hit by a car. He was taken to a hospital, but he ultimately died from his injuries.
Bowen previously served with the Concord Police Department from 2019 to 2023. He leaves behind a wife, two sons, parents and a brother.
"We lost a tremendous police officer and even better human being in Matthew Bowen," said Police Chief Ian Schmutzler. "Matt was a magnetic personality, someone who always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude, loved his family dearly, loved this community. Because of that, we’re all brokenhearted this evening."
Bowen is the first line of duty death for the Vacaville Police Department.
"We lost a hero today," said Vacaville Mayor John Carli. "He was a beloved officer and, as you heard the chief say, a wonderful human being. Today, we lost one of the very best."
