Jack D. Bowden, Jr. of Raleigh County, West Virginia, was born August 22, 1948, to Helen and Jack D. Bowden, Sr. He was educated in Raleigh County public schools, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1966. He earned an associate degree in education at Beckley College in 1968, a bachelor’s degree in education at Marshall University in 1970 and a master’s degree in correctional guidance at West Virginia College of Graduate Studies in 1978. He also completed the NENA Emergency Number Professional Certification in 2001.
Mr. Bowden became a member of the Beckley City Police Department in 1970 and served in the agency until 1977 at which time he was a Detective Sgt; served as magistrate for Raleigh County from 1980 to 1984; became Director of Raleigh County Emergency Services Authority in 1984 and is still serving in that capacity. He is a member of NENA-911; APCO-Emergency Services; West Virginia Enhanced 911 Council, serving as past president; West Virginia Emergency Management Council; West Virginia Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board; Rotary; Fraternal Order of Police; Masons; Moose and Eagles. He is also a past member of the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Board.
He has been married to the former Rebecca Holley for 31 years and they have two children, Christina and Tammy and two grandchildren, all residing in Raleigh County.