Wounded Officer's Family Ready To Welcome Pope
By Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — On a terrible day in September, 2008, Philadelphia Police Officer Ricky Bowes was critically wounded in a shoot-out that left his partner, Sgt. Pat McDonald dead.
Now, seven years later almost to the day, Officer Bowes, his wife and three children will be on the tarmac, among the first to greet the Pope when he his plane lands Saturday.
"God had a bigger plan for me, he wasn't ready for me that day," Bowes told CBS 3's Walt Hunter.
"He's still here and we have him and we're blessed over and over again," added his wife, Bernadette.
"It's just humbling," former Officer Bowestold Hunter, "I don't believe we deserve this, even a little bit."
But others, who witnessed the incredible faith, love and strength shared by the family during his long, painful healing, believe they are the perfect choice to welcome the Pontiff. The surprise announcement that they would meet the Pope came as the family prayed at Sunday Mass two weeks ago.
"We were looking up 'on line', how do you greet the Pope? 'cause we don't know," said Bowes, smiling.
His son, and two daughters, however, did have some ideas.
"I'm going to say, 'hello your excellency', honored to meet you," explained 12-year-old Matthew Bowes.
"I'd ask him to pray for everyone whose sick and suffering, cause I'm not sick and suffering," added 11-year-old Riley.
And as to what blessings they might ask from the Pope, Bernadette responded, "I think I would ask him to bestow a special blessing on our peacekeepers, anybody who leaves their families, who risk their lives, these are the true heroes."