Monday, October 12th, 2026
Christ Episcopal Church, Charlottesville, VA
2:00 pm
Narrator's POV
Sparks of red, white, and blue burning the hollow streets. The roads are blocked off with orange and white traffic barrels, so that officers, friends, and families can mourn the losses of Brian Bowers and Chris Hudson.
Dark clothed guests are entering the church, planting seeds of tears. Six officers from Albemarle County police department are carrying the casket of Chris Hudson. Six officers from Charlottesville police department are carrying the casket of Brian Bowers with an American flag covered. The guests make way and let the officers enter.
Red carpet greeting the guests. Brown wooden pew benches for the sanctuary. Lights and American flags are hanging above. Angelic deacon's doors, beautiful golden gates, manoualia, and a large golden cross are making the altar look heavenly.
The two caskets are placed beside each other below the altar. There are collage portraits of Officer Bowers and Hudson as kids, teenagers, them training as officers, and them working together. There are stands of roses, camellia, butter cups, magnolia, and daisy flowers for the both of them.
The twelve officers take their seats as the important guests arrive. Commissioner George Adam enter first with his wife and the minister.
Then, the Chief of Police Amanda Brack arrive with the rest of the Albemarle County officers. Amanda is wearing a plain black dress, 3" above the knees and black flats to complete the look. She has brassy brown hair. There is light makeup on her face and black painted fingernails. White angel wings attached to her ears.
The other officers she brought are Officer Boris Durant and Officer Michelle Jordan who are the only African American cops serving the police department.
Officer Durant has a plump size figure, but he has a friendly face and is dressed nicely. He has on a extra large black suit jacket with a white dress shirt underneath and a black necktie. Black suit pants and black dress shoes covering his lower half. His hair is black and short with a low fade.
Officer Jordan looks stunning. Wearing a Shein plus tie neck dobby mesh raglan sleeve dress, 3" above the knees. Smokey black eyes with a light pink gloss. Gold earrings and white painted fingernails. Her hair is dark brown. She has on black flats, moving gracefully as she walks.
The Commissioner and the other guests excluding Amanda are giving the black officers weird looks. But they are not worried about the glares they're receiving.
Other officers as Joanne Keener, Scott Boone, and Brandon Smith rolls in and sits close to the commissioner. Family members of Officer Bowers and Officer Hudson appear. Ashley Bowers and her son, Adam, are tearing up. Lea Johnson, the girlfriend of Chris Hudson is sitting far away from the police especially the commissioner. She still believes that the commissioner is the main cause of his late boyfriend's death. She does not even bother to look his direction, the sight of him makes her boil with rage.
As all the guests takes their seats, the door closes and soldiers starts to march. Their footsteps are pounding the floor and can even be heard from outside. There's one soldier at the end holding an American flag. When they reach the altar, they salute and then split in different directions while marching to their seats.
The commissioner goes to the microphone. Lea is rolling her eyes and is in disgust knowing that he is speaking first. But she lean back on her seat, crosses her arms and legs, and tapping her left foot to calm herself. Officer Boris notices a tiny hidden camera underneath his seat. He picks it and exams it, noticing VampVids at the back. His brows are raised and keeps it in his pants pocket. Officer Michelle Jordan notices and confronts him.
"Hey, what was that you just put in your pocket?" She asks, trying to keep her voice low as possible.
"It's a miniature hidden camera." He whispered.
"Oh. Why do you need that when you already have a body cam?" She asks, getting more curious by the second.
"I'm going to keep it just in case I need more evidence. Plus it looks more technologically advanced than our out of date body cams." He replied.
They both chuckle quietly.
"I agree. But make sure none of the officers, especially the commissioner finds out. He already detest us, so we don't want more trouble from him." She said.
"Okay" he replied.
The sanctuary gets quiet as the commissioner started to speak.
"I want to welcome you today to the memorial for Officer Brian Bowers and Officer Chris Hudson. And if that's god, tell him we said hello." He said, trying to light up the mood.
Lea scoffs and roll her eyes. She is itching to walk out, so that she won't have to hear the commissioner speak. But she stays and tries to calm herself.
"Every morning you put on a badge; it's to protect and to serve. In moments like these, that as churches, civilians, and citizens of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia— who is there to protect and serve you?" He questions, letting his words shimmer.
"But what we want you to know from the bottom of our hearts from these great cities that we love you and we're here to serve you through this grief. Officer Bowers and Officer Hudson had no idea that day when they put on their badges, that it would be his final moments serving our city. But I believe every moment when they woke up, every morning they made a decision they would lay down their lives to create a safer Virginia. In today, we honor that." He added, his voice breaking and tears are showing.
Most of the guests are getting emotional from his speech. While some don't react and continue listening on what he is trying to get across.
"Officer Brian Bowers, age thirty-eight; Chris Hudson, age twenty-nine, passed away from the line of duty on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026. Officer Hudson worked for numerous police departments before serving for the Charlottesville police department. I heard nothing but nice statements from other police departments. He always strive for greatness and honor." He mentioned.
The commissioner then spends ten minutes talking about how Officer Bowers. Explaining how he's a legend for police in Virginia. Lea is furious that he gave minuscule time honoring Chris, while he's giving more attention to Brian.
"That's it.... That's all he has to say about my late boyfriend. I really want to leave and not have to hear anymore of this lunacy." She says quietly to herself.
"Are you alright?" Ashley Bowers asks, looking concerned.
"No. Can you believe the audacity of him? He barely said anything about my boyfriend, while he is giving a whole testimony about your husband. That is so unfair and disrespectful. I feel like leaving right now." She responds and sobs.
"I'm so sorry, Lea. But at least he said something. Plus it's even more disrespectful walking out of your late-boyfriend's funeral." She tries to reason with her.
"It doesn't feel like a memorial service for my boyfriend. The majority of people here mostly came for Brian. He is well known and more respected in Virginia than him. If it was only Chris that died, the police department wouldn't have went all out with the funeral. The commissioner never cared about him. The only reason he somewhat cares is that he was young and he was an officer." She vents her frustrations, voice getting louder and angrier.
"Chill out Lea. I know times are tough for you, but it hasn't been easy for me or my son. You don't know how toilsome and depressing it was for me losing the only man I'd truly loved. It's even worse for my son, who has been crying everyday missing his dad. Now he's going to be fatherless and I'm a widow. So you're not the only one that is grieving here." She explains.
"I can't take this anymore." She said.
Lea gets up and walks away with her head low, so that no one can see her tears. Everyone including the commissioner is shocked that she is leaving.
"Ms. Johnson, where are you going? What's wrong?" The commissioner asks, speaking loud on the microphone.
She stops at the middle of the red carpet and turns to face him.
"I can't handle this." She said, her voice cracking.
"Handle what?" He asks.
"I can't handle the fact that this is supposed to be the funeral for both officers, but you give Officer Bowers way more attention and praise than my late boyfriend. That is vile and disrespectful." She vexes.
"Ms. Johnson, there is no need getting angry at a funeral." He said.
"Oh, shut the fuck up!" She blurts out.
Her profanity and aggression caused a lot of guests to be mortified. Murmurs are spreading throughout the church building. People are recording the altercation on their phones.
"Can't believe she cursed inside the lord's house." Officer Scott Boone commented quietly.
"I know right" Officer Brandon Smith agreed.
"She is a complete psycho." Officer Joanne Keener added.
"My boyfriend is laying right in front of your eyes and you only said thirty seconds worth of material about him. That is not only rude to me, but it's ungrateful to him. Plus you never gave a shit about him or me. Honestly, I believe you are the true killer. If you didn't force him to do that stupid night watch, he would still be here today. I don't want no donation money or sympathy. I would be joyful if the commissioner gets out of leadership. He doesn't know a single thing about treating officers or people in general fairly. All I have to say is fuck you commissioner and I can't wait until you leave the department." She explodes on him and leaves the premises.
Everyone is still in shock by what just happened. Commissioner is trying to find the right words to say.
"I'm so sorry for that. I was not expecting her to act like that, especially for her late-boyfriend's funeral. But I think it's enough of me talking, how about we hear from Chief of Police Amanda Brack?" He introduces her.
*************
Lea Johnson's POV
The nerve of that guy going first to speak and spits out nonsense. I don't know who made him commissioner or how he lasted so long as one, but I want him gone for good. Even before my late-boyfriend died, I always had a feeling that he wasn't supposed to be trusted. He treats his officers poorly, his mind and ways of thinking is stuck in the past, he is cheap and selfish, and he kiss ups to people that sucks him off.
Brian Bowers always jerked off the commissioner's small cock. He listens to every command without thinking twice. He embodies his every moves and strategies. Plus he put my late-boyfriend in danger and now, he is gone forever.
I'm disgusted and hurt that no one else didn't call him out on his bullshit. All I got back were weird stares and people recording me like I'm some crazy woman. Maybe I am crazy for causing a scene at a funeral, but I had to leave. Having my boyfriend's legacy get overshadowed by another officer is shameful. I did not want to hear another word from the commissioner.
As for the donation money that Amanda Brack started, I appreciate that she wanted to give Ashley Bowers and I cash for losing our loved ones. But it doesn't feel right earning money out of pity and sympathy. Plus I would feel disgusted making money off of his death. Also I could provide for myself without the help from the police or strangers.
Right now, I'm outside near my car about to leave. Until Amanda Brack and two African-American cops stop me.
"Ms. Johnson wait!" Officer Boris Durant called out, waving his hands to get my attention.
"What is it?" I asks.
"We wanted to know why you left and caused such a ruckus." Officer Michelle Jordan said.
"I already explained myself when I exploded on the commissioner. Plus shouldn't you guys be inside participating in the funeral?" I asks, crossing my arms. Getting impatient and heated, I just want to go home.
"The commissioner wanted me to continue on with the program, but I had to reject because I wanted to make sure that you are alright." Amanda Brack explains.
"I'm clearly not alright. The commissioner treated Chris like he was an after thought. He had the nerve to call my name in front of everyone and make me look like the evil one. But he's the true villain." I said, my voice getting enraged by the second.
"I'm so sorry that he made you feel that way. But we got your back, plus we got money to support you." Amanda tells me.
"I don't want no donations or money. Having cash is nice, but it's not going to bring my boyfriend back. Plus I can take care of myself and I don't need help from the police. You guys can keep the money for yourselves, you need it more than I do." I opposed.
"Is there anything you want us to do?" Michelle asks.
"We will be happy to help you with anything. Times for you are hard and we want to make sure you will be feeling better." Boris mentions.
"I want the commissioner to step down and leave the police force entirely. He brought nothing but negativity and horrible decision making to the department. He got my boyfriend killed and should be arrested for letting that happen." I said.
"Lastly, I want Amanda Brack to take his place. You support and help out everyone that isn't just cops. You started a donation, which not that many police officials dare to do. Also it would be nice seeing a woman take charge of the entire department. Adam is old, outdated, has a horrible attitude, treats everyone badly, he's sexist, and he's egotistical. There's no need for a commissioner like that. Now if you excuse me I need to leave." I added, walking back to my car, but I had to turn around once Amanda started to speak again.
"Before you leave, if there's anything you need or want to talk about, here's my number. Also here's the numbers for Boris and Michelle. We really want to help with anything that is eating you up. Just because we are police, that doesn't mean we can't support one another. We care about the people in Virginia and it pains all of us if one or more people are hurt." Amanda tells me, handing me a paper with everyone's phone numbers and email addresses.
"As for the money, we raised nine hundred fifty thousand dollars on GoFundMe. So once we reach a million, I will give a quarter million to Ashley Bowers. Then the other quarter million will be used for police department. The last quarter million will go to any organization or charity of my choosing. It would have been nice if I gave you money, but it's your decision and I must respect it." She tells me.
"Thank you so much. This really means a lot. I feel a bit better now." I respond, feeling hopeful about myself and life.
"You're welcome" they all said in unison.
"Take care" Officer Durant said.
"May God bless you" Officer Jordan said.
"We all love you, don't you forget that." Amanda said.
I get inside my car and closed the door. They quickly waved goodbye to me and I did the same. Then they went back inside the church. I put the key in the ignition and twist it to turn the car on. I sit still and begin to break down in tears. Feeling defeated, alone, and worthless. I wanted to give up, but I decide to do a quick prayer. I cleaned myself up first, then I start to pray.
"Dear Heavenly Father,
Please have mercy on my soul. I didn't mean to use foul language and cause a commotion inside your house. But I was so upset with the commissioner that I couldn't contain myself. I hope you can understand the struggles and pain I am going through. If Chris is with you right now, please protect him and keep him comfortable. Also tell him I love and appreciate everything he did. We could have done more like get married and have children. But I will be with him again once my life is over.
As for the killer, let that person find forgiveness. I should be angry at the person, but I'm more frustrated at the commissioner. The killer is just a killer, while the commissioner put him in danger and allowed a murderer to strike at any time. So please take care of Chris, make the killer find a soul, and bring judgement onto Adam. In the name I praise your holy name. Amen."
I put the car in reverse and drive, leaving the funeral. Hoping that God heard my prayers and let it come true.