Remembering Erik

[adrien_j9]

Today is the funeral that MY pastor is giving. It'll be at my parents house, where he died. The police came to me this morning and took everything of his that I had. His WIFE needed it. Erik was estranged from his wife for almost a year, of course that's not in the paper. He never spoke ill of her, and would be silent while she raged at him. I could hear her from every room of my house. He just wanted happiness and peace. He'd been taken down with shrapnel from a grenade, shot several times, and stabbed a few times, all in the "line of duty." He wanted loved and quiet, and laughter. I had that with him and now he's gone. The wedding? It was MY daughter's father and soon to be bride's bachelor/bachelorette party. He went with me because this weekend (the weekend of the wedding) he had his boys and children weren't allowed. He'd counted down the days he had left w/ his sons and he didn't want to give them up for anything. That's why he was there. Yes he was weilding a tire iron and people did get hurt. I was sick, too much to drink, and he wanted to take me home. I was too ill to notice that he'd had too much to drink also. People didn't want him to drive. Everyone cornered him, shouting. They pulled me out of the Jeep and grabbed his keys while he was outside the door. My ex, the groom tried to pin him against his Jeep to talk to him. Erik was insecure about DJ and I believe that started it. HE NEVER EVER tried to change my relationship w/ DJ, he just wanted to be the brighter star in my eyes. My parents love DJ and that also made Erik insecure. So you see, what started it was me. Then some lunatic shot off a shotgun right directly next to us and Erik snapped. He wasn't him. His eyes were dead, and he meant to kill. People here think it's because of his war time. They think he snapped, quite like veterans do when they hear fireworks. I tried to stop him, and everyone else, but it didn't work. I spun and kicked the guy who was kicking Erik (I knocked him out, thank you very much) punched some other guy in the face (though I thought he was a girl) and then laid on top of Erik so they wouldn't hurt him.
Erik was a theologist. War and fighting -DEATH sickened him. I'm to go to the police station tomorrow morning.

 

[busyLivin]

It was in Chicago? Were they mean about him? Please tell me everything you can remember. I have nothing left.

It was just a news brief during a morning show i listen to (eric & kathy, for locals). Only lasted about 15 seconds. Said basically what the previously linked story said. Friends trying to take erik's (last name) keys and after a drunken brawl, he died.

 

[Martinogdenbsx]

oh my god can't believe that happened
Erik will be remembered by me and i didn't even know him

Chris

 

[Mudge]

We weren't there..it is probablly best to let him RIP..

True, I came to this conclusion as well. This isn't a court.

Whatever the TRUTH is though, I hope it comes clear, because a printed lie or any lie is an injustice to someones good name.

 

[Mudge]

They think he snapped, quite like veterans do when they hear fireworks.

Its a sad thing that war does to some people. A local history teacher when a book dropped one day, started raving about dropping to the ground and taking cover, and then went off into incomprehensible speech.

 

[Arith]

You worthless piece of shit. HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF THE DEAD THAT WAY. I don't recall your being there. Am I incorrect? Were you there? You bastard! YOU weren't the one on the ground being kicked and punched while breathing your last breaths were you? You weren't there when someone shot off a f***ing gun were you? You didn't serve your country and learn to kill or be killed at the sound of a gun did you? I HATE YOU! He was better than anyone on this planet and now he's dead. YOU don't know the circumstances of that night, do you? You must be one of those retards that believes everything the news reports. I hope you rot you worthless piece of shit.

Speak of the dead what way? I said nothing dirogitory what so ever and said i was sorry for your loss so chill out. It sucks that this happened to him and im sure he didnt deserve to die but you yourself stated he meant to kill when he started wielding the tire iron against people who did not want him to drive drunk. Why post this on a public forum if you dont want responses? Just curious, why wasnt anyone arrested? Im going by what i heard on the radio today and the article, its not murder if its self defense and he did put several people in the hospital with that tire iron, including one with severe facial injuries. Im sorry for your loss and i hope you get the help you need to get through this but dont take it out on me.

 

[naturaltan]

Sorry for your loss

god bless ...

 

[adrien_j9]

anyways, if its the guy im thinking of from michigan, god is my witness, i was at work last night and he crossed my mind. ive never talked to him or anything so why i was thinking about him im not sure. thats weird.

What was it you were thinking? It's a good feeling to read this. Thank you.

 

[Pepper]

Arith, I think the thing you need to learn is that there is a time to speak the truth and there is a time to just express sympathy.

 

[Arnold]

Speak of the dead what way? I said nothing dirogitory what so ever and said i was sorry for your loss so chill out. It sucks that this happened to him and im sure he didnt deserve to die but you yourself stated he meant to kill when he started wielding the tire iron against people who did not want him to drive drunk. Why post this on a public forum if you dont want responses? Just curious, why wasnt anyone arrested? Im going by what i heard on the radio today and the article, its not murder if its self defense and he did put several people in the hospital with that tire iron, including one with severe facial injuries. Im sorry for your loss and i hope you get the help you need to get through this but dont take it out on me.

If he had been at war that combined with the alcohol who knows what might have been going thru his mind, he may have been experiencing some flash backs thinking these people were trying to kill him or something.

 

[Arith]

Pepper, very good point. Im a cop and some of the things she said didnt sit well with me after reading the article and watching the news, I should have kept my opinion to myself. Its never good when someone dies young, no matter the circumstances and i wish his family well.

 

[Big Smoothy]

I don't like to ask or bring this up, BUT....

When I click the link to the newspaper article on "mlive," it doesn work.

What happened? Sorry for asking again, but I don't know what the circumstances were.

 

[Mudge]

Its never good when someone dies young, no matter the circumstances and i wish his family well.

Agreed, even when people have wasted their own life it is not pleasant to watch.

Rest in peace and best wishes to those in this rough hour.

 

[bulletproof1]

What was it you were thinking? It's a good feeling to read this. Thank you.

why he popped in my mind i am not sure but i was thinking that i had not seen any posts from him in a while.

 

[RexStunnahH]

My condolences.

 

[Big Smoothy]

Look,

I asked a question. What the f*ck happened.

Thanks in advance! Answer my fuggin' question.

 

[MaxMirkin]

Look,

I asked a question. What the f*ck happened.

Thanks in advance! Answer my fuggin' question.

Here's what the article said:

Belding man dies after being hit on head in scuffle at party
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
By Barton Deiters
The Grand Rapids Press
GREENVILLE -- Police say friends were trying to keep an intoxicated man from driving, but when taking his keys led to a scuffle, the 37-year-old Belding man ended up dead.

Erik Matthew Bohn, called "Rico" by friends, was among a group of about 30 attending a bachelor and bachelorette party on Youngman Road near Greenville late Saturday when he tried to get into his car and drive away, Montcalm County Sheriff William J. Barnwell said Monday.

Several attending the event tried to get the father and Gulf War veteran to surrender his keys. An argument ensued and at some point before midnight, police said Bohn began confronting people with a tire iron.

Authorities said Bohn allegedly hit one man in the face and struck a woman in the side before a 24-year-old Greenville man hit Bohn in the head with a flashlight.

"The person who hit Mr. Bohn with the flashlight is cooperating, so there's no question about what happened," Barnwell said. Both Bohn and the other man involved were friends of the bride and the groom, but were not friends themselves.

Bohn was taken to Spectrum Health United Memorial Hospital in Greenville, then transferred to Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, where he died within hours.

Another 30-year-old Greenville man was taken to United Memorial, where he was treated and released for facial injuries caused by the tire iron, police said.

Barnwell said no one is in custody, and police are awaiting autopsy results before making any further determinations. In the meantime, he says investigators continue to interview witnesses.

According to information Bohn's family provided to the funeral home, Bohn was an avid outdoorsman and coached his sons in football and wrestling. In the late 1980s, Bohn served in the Army and in the Gulf War as a specialist 4th class with the Army Airborne.

He lived with his wife, Erica, for several years in Rockford until recently moving to Belding.

He is survived by his wife, sons Jakob and Nicholas, his father, Finn Bohn of New Jersey, mother Mary Midori of Georgia, and sisters in Georgia and North Carolina.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, 4865 11 Mile Road NE in Rockford.

Bohn will be buried in Fort Custer National Cemetery near Battle Creek.

 

[Neutron]

HI Adrien - If the paper is incorrect, you can contact them and get the story straight - along with a letter of apology. I've seen this done.

You have gone through so much and now this. I'm so very sorry I know it's hard but I agree with JLB, you need to seek counseling or like V said - write your feelings on paper (or here if it helps.) Think of happy times. Because Erik isn't here physically, doesn't mean he's not here with you spiritually. Hang in there!!

I don't live too far away from you, so if you want to meet - lets make a date

The person living in Indiana - you're not too far either.

Well BabsieGirl very sorry , I am not at all near to her. ... What can I say?
good wishes.

Good wishes for Adrein with hopes that everyting goes well to the police station and media, and strength for her to present the truth.

 

[gr81]

didn't know him but RIP and good luck

 

[Big Smoothy]

MAXMIRKIN, Thank you so much.

This is a terrible thing that happened. My condolescences to family and friends.

 

[adrien_j9]

Look,

I asked a question. What the f*ck happened.

Thanks in advance! Answer my fuggin' question.

I'm so glad I'll never meet you.

 

[BoneCrusher]

Speak of the dead what way? I said nothing dirogitory what so ever and said i was sorry for your loss so chill out. It sucks that this happened to him and im sure he didnt deserve to die but you yourself stated he meant to kill when he started wielding the tire iron against people who did not want him to drive drunk. Why post this on a public forum if you dont want responses? Just curious, why wasnt anyone arrested? Im going by what i heard on the radio today and the article, its not murder if its self defense and he did put several people in the hospital with that tire iron, including one with severe facial injuries. Im sorry for your loss and i hope you get the help you need to get through this but dont take it out on me.

Man STFU ... step off ... and let this person experience her grief. Your opinions have no place here. Either do the human thing and be respectful or find another thread to post in.

 

[bulletproof1]

Man STFU ... step off ... and let this person experience her grief. Your opinions have no place here. Either do the human thing and be respectful or find another thread to post in.

word ..... all it takes is a little common sense.

 

[firestorm]

Damn, all I know is that even in a grieving thread, the shit has to hit the fan and some sort of debate must occur. Such a shame.
I'm sad for this poor guy. Even though I don't remember his posts or him for that matter, he was a member here and for that I feel that we the members lost a member of our family. We lost one of our people here and that is sad regardless of the situation. The fact that this individual was also a defender of our Country makes it even worse. The fact that he was wounded in action on multiple instances tops it even more. The fact he had children and people that loved him makes it even a sadder situation. The fact he died the way he did, is not the way a warrior is supposed to die and that makes it devistating to me. I don't give a shit that he swung a tire iron at people. Some fuqing moron fired a GUN!! You fire a gun at or NEAR anyone of us,, expecially if we're under the influence of alchol we will retaliate out of self defense expecially if you were "trained" to do so. It's an immediate response. Not thought out, it's instinct of survival. Anyone that has ever lived through a combat situation or numerous combat situations are NEVER the same person afterwards and that is not a BAD thing. Your more observant to your surroundings, and your quicker to respond to gun shots or assaults. Now this may be the case in regards to this fella Or he may have been suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, I do not know but either way, I would have been standing by his side to help him not kick him. Sounds like he was somewhat outmanned, don't understand why the pussies didn't just gang tackle him or after seeing the crowbar just let him leave and call the police. They did not have the right to take the law into their own hands. They made the attempt to stop him, failed, so should have called the cops if they cared that much.
Just my opinion of course.

 

[cjrmack]

Please do not hold yourself responsible. You cannot bear the burden for the someone elses actions.

 

[adrien_j9]

...They did not have the right to take the law into their own hands. They made the attempt to stop him, failed, so should have called the cops if they cared that much.
Just my opinion of course.[/QUOTE]

From the very bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you, thank you.



To everyone who has posted thoughtful, heartfelt comments in this thread, thank you to all of you. I have family, and they are on my side, but every single person who doesn't blame me and hate me helps me. I wish people like you would have been there. He'd still be alive. Thanks to all, I love you all.

 

[firestorm]

Well the "majority" of us here actually "care" about one another. We all have health and fitness in common and that is a bond. We come here and share real life experiences with one another, both good and bad and try to be here for one another. In my eyes that sounds like a family. Then of course ya always have that "black sheep of the family" so we tend to IGNORE them. We do care about you and hope you get through this ok. Someone once said that "time heals all" I'm not sure how accurate that really is but I can say that over time, the feelings your feeling now will subside. You'll keep your memories and be grateful they were good memories. He was a good person and you have a life time of memories to look back on. Lastly, please don't blame yourself. I've read it all and in no way is any of this your fault. You didn't swing a crowbar, you didn't shoot off a gun, and you certainly didn't kick someone while they were down. You put yourself in harms way and covered him with your body. That is a hero where I come from. I salute you.

 

[BoneCrusher]

You put yourself in harms way and covered him with your body. That is a hero where I come from. I salute you.

This is what stands out about you to me through this ... a man can only wish for a woman that is that dedicated to him. Eric did well to pick you for his woman.

 

[supertech]

Rip

 

[adrien_j9]

I am no hero. If anything, I'm a failure. I'm a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Did I use any technique to stop the incident? Did I use technique to bring him down myself? No. I ran around like a drunken moron, uselessly. There are so many leg sweeps... instead I behaved as all other women there, crying and screaming. I couldn't stand the sounds of what was happening so I laid on him hoping it would make them stop. The bruises I have are from them, not from him.
One news article said he hit me ("his girlfriend") with the tire iron. The very next paragraph speaks of his wife. They portray him as a cheater - he was separated from his wife for 9 months! He had his own place!! He'd stayed married with her for noble and sensible reasons. It makes me sick the way the incident is portrayed I can't express how wonderful he was. Please don't confuse me with the hero, HE was the hero in every sense of the word.
This is one of very few places that I can speak about him, one of very few places that I find comfort. Thanks again.