Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You are and will always be my hero! I love you.

Joe Williams
Brother

February 5, 2009

The low-life was found hiding in a wooded area with his gun. SWAT
team officers fired and hit the guy 68 times.

Now here's the kicker:

Naturally, the media asked why they shot him 68 times. Polk County
Sheriff Grady Judd, told the Orlando Sentinel: 'That's all the
bullets we had !!' (Talk about an all-time classic answer !!!)

Justice Served. Bullets are much cheaper than 40 years of meals,
cable and civil rights

Renny Kassel

January 20, 2009

Matt,

I am sure that you and your partner are in a better place looking down and protecting the rest of us. I had the honor of working with some of your fellow officers who miss you very much. Everytime I am in Florida I think about you and your partner and pray for your family and fellow officers. Keep watching over us.

John

Detective John Campbell
Chicago Police

January 4, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS Matt & DiOGi!
Still thinking about you guys all the time.
Forever In Our Hearts
love,

Diane Dodge
PCSO

December 25, 2008

Thinking about you guys. Your family is in my prayers this Thanksgiving.

K9 Leads The Way.

Anonymous

November 27, 2008

We still remember brother. Thank you for your service and your family for the sacrifice.

K9 Leads The Way.

Anonymous

October 28, 2008

Hard to believe it's been two years Matt. Never Forgotten Brother.

D/S
Polk County Sheriff's Office

September 28, 2008

Its hard to believe that today is two years from when you were taken from us, along with Diogi. It feels as though it was yesterday. I remember you Daily and think about you often. You will NEVER be Forgotten, as long as Im alive on this earth. Your sacrifice will always be remembered by me, and those around me. Your teachings will always be close to my Heart. Your devotion to your job, family, and making those around you happy and laugh, will always be emulated by me. I will continue to strive to be like you in my K9 career, and if I can reach at least 10% of what you were on this earth, I will have done well! Peace be with you Matt and continue to look after me and the others, why were on this earth. My life is better because you were in it....Remembering Always Your friend, student, and Brother....

D/S Bobby Boehmler & K9 Fivo
PCSO K9 Unit

September 28, 2008

Judgment Day for a Policeman

The policeman stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shiny,
Just as brightly as his brass.

“Step forward now, Policeman
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?”

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,
Because those of us who carry badges
Can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sunday’s
And at times my work was rough,
And sometimes I’ve been violent
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny
That wasn’t mine to keep,
I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you’ve a place for me here, Lord
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”

There was silence all around the Throne
Where the Saints had often trod,
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

“Step forward now, policeman,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets,

LEO friend and supporter

September 28, 2008

Matt, your family is still in our thoughts and prayers every day. Rest in peace my friend.

Lt. Brian Garrett

September 28, 2008

Matt n Diogi still Missed, but definitely not forgotten.

Not many days go by that you guy's are not in our minds. Many of us feel your prescence in difficult times and are comforted. At the end of the day "WE WILL WIN."

Thank you for watching over us everyday and making sure we get home safe.

Anonymous

September 28, 2008

It seems like yesterday you were here and then sometimes it seems like forever since you and DiOGi left us. Never forgotten. Always grateful to have you both watching over all of us. Put in a good word for me up there in Heaven. Miss yall bunches. Roxie.

D/S Roxanne O'Rourke
Polk County Sheriff's Office

September 28, 2008

Two years, doesn"t seem like it. Miss you Matt and DIOGI>

D/S Escheu
Polk County Sheriffs Office

September 28, 2008

still havent forgotten

Lori Van Roekel and K9 Remco
sioux city ia police dept.

September 28, 2008

Hey Matt, well it's been 2 years today..hard to believe it's been that long!! I still miss seeing you and DiOGi, we all do. I miss my cdpd's from you!! Keep watching over all of us especially your family, and the "boys" and all your LEO family. Give DiOGi and Rocky and big pat on the head for me and a hug for your mom, I miss her too, but I know she's a peace now up there with you.
Love you guys!

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office ~ FL

September 28, 2008

Dear Deputy Williams and DiOGi,
September 28th is knocking on our door again. Many people might look at it as just another day. On the other hand, many other people might look at it as a day to look up at the heavens to thank you and DiOGi for who you have been and who you are today. You have been, and always will be, heroes.
May others remember and never forget what this day means.
HEROES live forever!

LEO Wife and Mom

September 27, 2008

As a fellow dog handler after reading what happened I cant really find the right words to say how sorry I am. I read the other reflections and it was very obvious that Matt was a very special person who will never be forgotten. May god bless you and your k9 partner.And to those you left behind my heart goes out to you. Rest in Peace!

dog handler Ian Davidson
hm prison service

September 27, 2008

Matt,
Its hard to believe it has been almost 2 years since that awful day. Sometimes it still seems like it is a bad nightmare. We all still miss you around here. I left dispatch back in December to push some paper around. Still miss our talks and your teasing me because I cant tan like you could. :) Give Diogi and Rocky a hug for me. Miss you.

Ann Greco
PCSO

September 24, 2008

Missing you as always. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers

Anonymous

September 11, 2008

Keep flying high brother!

We still remember.

Anonymous

August 1, 2008

Hey Brother,

I was going through my phone today looking for someone's number and found yours. Can't bring myself to delete it I guess. I still remember the last time I called it. A friend calling and waking me up to tell me that Polk County had just been involved in a shooting and me calling to check on you and to get the scoop, only to leave you a voice mail to call me back.....
I apologize that it has been so long since I have written again. I lost Yokey about a month ago, on the day that I turned in his retirement paperwork. Something went wrong internally and I had to put him down, so I need you to keep an eye on him for me please. On the good side, it was also the day that the Mrs. told me that I am going to be a Dad, so some give some take. She had been going to wait until Father's day to surprise me, but figured I could use the cheering up. You would like my new partner I named him Cowboy…go figure huh. He runs like the wind, hits high, and hits like a freight train I am told. He’s a Maligator, so enough said huh. We just finished Patrol and Narc school and we start the road full time tomorrow so when you’re not too busy, keep an eye on us too. I will keep you up to date on how he does.
I miss talking to you Matt, sharing jokes, gripes, or the latest stupid criminal story……….take care brother.
Lloyd

Lloyd O'Quinn
ACSO K-9

July 19, 2008

Hey Brother from a different Mother...Continuing to stive to be the best like you brother...Will NEVER forget..I think of you ofter and miss your jokes and pranks..You truly have blessed my life just by me meeting you and your family...Hope you like the name of this new K9 partner..not as clever as Diogi (which as I remember you saying is Apatchi for DOG) haha...but Fivo is purdy darn clever you have to admit...haha...anyway..just wanted to drop you a line brother, and let you know...I REMEMBER!!! I know your looking down on me..and I thank you for all the knowledge, laughs, and friendship you shared with me..Peace Brother

D/S Bobby Boehmler and K9 Fivo
PCSO K9 Unit

July 7, 2008

Dear Matt.

Its 12:30 am on Wednesday morning on June 25, and it has been a while since I came to your grave but finally made it with one of your fellow employees last week my friend. I wanted to get there on your birthday but did not make it in time due to 3 major surgeries and have been in and out of the hospitals and on medical leave for 3 months with radiation and recovery. I am a survivor and will beat this as I told Grady.

When we got to your grave to pray, I knelt down and asked why once again as always, and you being taken away from such a wonderful family, but thought as Billy Joel said, " Only the good die young".......That must be true since Hovan and I lost a close great friend recently at the age 40 in a car crash. I said a prayer for your mom Maxine as well and we saw where they added her date of death to her headstone already and know that she is happy now because she is with you.

We are back riding 10-12 with different surrounding agengies and departments and some of the Bucs have been special deputised and have more respect for your job. Bucs training camp is right around the corner in Celebration, Orlando, and since I will be over there for 2 weeks as well, I will stop by with other Bucs: Hovan, Buenning, Economis, Bryant, Dunn, Hayward, White, Smith and Clayton. They all were there for me while I was in the hospital and help me get throughest time of my life. Take care Matt and rest in peace my friend with Diogi.

Sincerely, Dave Williams
Honorary Deputy for Polk, Citrus and Sarasota Counties

David C. Williams
Honorary Deputy for Polk, Citrus and Sarasota Counties

June 24, 2008

Hey Matt,
Just stopping in to say hello and that many of us keep the memory of your sacrifice near and dear to our hearts. You are, and will always be, a true hero!
My family has inherited a beautiful male German Shephard who strongly resembles your DiOGi. We are very proud to have him. He is such a saint and such a good friend. It's no wonder that you and DiOGi were so close. A man's best friend...

LEO Wife and Mom

June 22, 2008

we are all travlers in this world from the sweet grass to the packin house from birth till death we walk together thru the eternities

D/S Doug Alexander
Polk Co.

June 21, 2008