 | Deputy Sheriff Vernon Matthew (Matt) Williams
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Florida
Thursday, September 28, 2006 |
Matt, thanks for being being there with my best friend the day you left us and thanks for being with me when I was remembering you with the tatoo. Keep a watchful eye over everyone at the PCSO and those close to them. Give Diogi a hug for me. Leo Wife
2009-11-14
Matt, it has been three years I can not imagine how your family finds the strength to go on, it is a testament to the love you shared and the belief that you will see them again. It has been many years since we were able to spend any time and I sure miss your goofy antics. You will forever be missed by old and new friends Anonymous
2009-10-14
I attended the national field trials in 07..not long after you were taken. The pain felt from your brothers in blue was apparent. We had a handler taken from us in a car crash in 08..It has changed our unit forever. You made such a positive impression on your Department as well as your community...even though I never met you, I imagine you were a great officer, handler, family man. You are remembered on your EOW. Rest in peace, we got it down here. Bill Clarida
Baton Rouge Police Dept K-9
2009-09-29
Its been three years today Matt and the pain is still so great.We all miss you so much! I hope you and DiOGi are resting well.Keep a watchful eye over the rest of is down here,God knows we need it. Rest easy brother! Anonymous
2009-09-28
Hi Matt,
Still missing you. Always know that we will never forget you. Thank you for all the times you made me smile. Thank you for always being so easy to work with. Hug Sergeant Brown for me , I never had the pleasure of knowing him. And, hug Diogi tight for me. Ann Greco
pcso
2009-09-28
A man remembered never dies... A Brother In Blue
2009-09-28
To Deputy Vernon Matthew Williams, his family and his fellow officers with the Polk County Sheriff's Office:
Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Deputy Williams’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Deputy Williams and thank you for your service. Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
2009-09-28
We will not forget brother. K9 Leads the Way! J. Woodruff
Gulf Shores, AL PD K9
2009-09-28
Hey Matt & DiOGi...been awhile since I've written to you guys. I know that you have already met Sgt. Ronnie Brown at the gate by this time, take good care of him and show him the ropes. He's watched over the bad for so long it's now time for the angels in blue to watch over him.
The shirts that I am making, 68/110 are such a huge hit!! I have had so many request for them and have sent them all over the world, with people writing me and thanking me for making them, I have met some wonderful people thru you and DiOGi.
Keep up the good work and always continue watching over us and leading us all to safety. 3 years is coming up here and it's so hard to beleive it's been that long, I still see you and DiOGi in the hallway the day before helping me w/my grand-dog. You were loved by so many people and we all miss you so much. Give DiOGi a hug for me and a job well done. I miss you both...you are gone, but NEVER forgotten. Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office
2009-09-09
Hey Brother, It's been a while since I last wrote to you on here, but we both know, I've always kept you on my mind and in my heart. I hope Diogi isn't giving you too much grief and is keeping you running around in Heaven...We lost another Brother, Sgt. Ronnie Brown, from the jail..An inmate caused a disturbance and it took Sgt. Brown, along with several other Detention Deputies to gain control of him. The Inmate is in our jail for a Murder from another county. Look after Sgt. Brown Matt and Diogi, show him the "ropes" up there, and Matt, Give Diogi his "watch" command, when that inmate tries to get through the gates. :) Rest well my brother, and One day we will see each other again. Always in my mind and in my heart Partner! D/S Bobby Boehmler #4435
Polk County Sheriffs Office
2009-09-09
Rest easy Deputy... James Clendening
Glades County Sheriff's Office
2009-08-29
Matt, Tyson w/Mike and I were outside a house where there was a burglary in progress. One of the suspects came out the front and around to the side of the house where I stood. I was not looking that direction and we know these things happen in a fraction of a second that is faster than our human capabilites can comprehend. But somehow I knew to turn around and draw in that fraction of a second. Tyson said it best in the debrief when he said, "That was Matt telling you to 'Turn around Roxie the suspect is behind you' and I did. The best part was when I said "Stop or I'll release the dog!" just like I did that day on Griffin Rd. You and DiOGi weren't there yet but I knew you would be. At that fence on Griffin Rd I turned back to the fence and then you tapped my shoulder and there you were. I miss you so much. Show Corp. Roberts the ropes up there like you used to down here. We all still remember, we always will. We do go on because we know you would want it that way. But we miss you and DiOGi. D/S Roxanne O'Rourke 3029
Polk County Sheriff's Office
2009-08-25
Matt, Corp. Roberts should be up in Heaven with you now. Help him watch over his people like you watch over us. Tell him to be at peace, we got it from here. Many prayers to the family, immediate and PD, of Corp. Roberts. My heart aches for your sorrow.
Matt n DiOGi E.O.W. 09-28-06 D/S Roxanne O'Rourke 3029
Polk County Sheriff's Office
2009-08-22
Matt i am sure you have met up with Cpl.Roberts show him the ropes...he was a fellow K-9 officers until recently.
Be safe and hold his family close to your heart leo wife
pcso
2009-08-21
matt
a tampa police dept officer was killed last night. It brings back the memory of that awful day that you were taken from us. I'm sure he is in heaven with you now.
Still miss you and pray for your family. keep being our guardian angel. ann greco
pcso
2009-08-20
Rest in peace Deputy Williams and Diogi
A hero is hone, but NEVER forgotten
K-9 leads the way... Deputy
Southwest FL
2009-08-16
D/S Williams and Diogi,I never met you though i wish i had.I am fixin to start my career in law enforcement,and you and others will be my motovation to make it through the academy.I'm sorry you had to be taken the way we were,but the streets of polk county are a little bit safer because of the hard work you and Diogi did while you were here.I pray for your wife and kids often i know gow will take care of them.Having said that rest easy Mr. Williams and K9 Diogi your job on earth is done.You are 10-98 i will never forget 3655K... recruit Florida Highway Patrol
2009-07-15
I STOOD BY HIS MY MASTER, I HAD NO FEAR.
I OBYED HIM, WITH LOVE, DEVOTION, CURAGE, AND CARE.
I STOOD BY HIS SIDE, WHEN DANGER WAS NEAR.
I DID MY DUTY, I NEVER FALTERED, I GAVE ALL I HAD.
I SERVED WITH A LOVE MOST PARTNERS NEVER HAVE.
I WORE MY BADGE WITH PRIDE, AND HONOR.
I WORKED NOT FOR PAY, BUT LOVING PRASE, AND WARM BED.
I WAS PARTNER, COMPANION AND FRIEND.
I WAS K-9, FAITHFULL TO THE END.
I remember the day that this happened. I have been a life long lover of our canine friends, and owner of a very special dog. As a deputy the sacrifice that was made that day, is on my mind every morning as I go to work. Deputy Williams was a special person, and he gave the last full measure of devotion to the people of Polk County. I come to his reflection page often and read what had been wrote. I cry, I pray for his family, I pray for his friends, had then hug my wife and little girl very close.
But recently it occurred to me that had impact on me in different but special way. I now have a love for my Beagle, that’s larger than before. As I watch him follow my baby around the house with a devotion that surpasses mine at times, it has reminded me of the bond between master and faithful servant. Dogs are special! They love us unconditionally, an only asks for love in return. The remarks above are not mint to place Diogi above that of Deputy Williams, but to remind all those that read this. Diogi and Matt had a bond that went further that a normal Dog. Diogi was a K-9 Deputy, he was a dog yes, but also a Deputy. They placed there lives in each others hands every day as partners. I wanted to recognize Diogi in a special way. I think Deputy Williams would agree:
Job well done puppy, you found the bad guy just like you were asked. You did your duty to the end. You stood by your master faithfully and sacrificed your life to try to save his. Job well done!!
To the Williams family, I pray for you often. Know that we will see them again, and they will be waiting for us on the golden streets. May the lord bless you and keep you. DEPUTY
2009-06-07
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MATT, IT IS NOT GETTING ANY EASIER EVERY DAY IS ANOTHER DAY THAT I WISH IT WERE ALL A BAD DREAM. MISS YOU GREATLY AND LOVE YOU DEARLY.
KEEPING YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS Anonymous
2009-04-07
A job well done SWAT.... Anonymous
2009-03-27
Can you lay your life down, so a stranger can live?
Can you take what you need, but take less than you give?
Could you close every day, without the glory and fame?
Could you hold your head high, when no one knows your name?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say.
We say goodbye, but never let go.
We live, we die, cause you can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.
Can you lose everything, you ever had planned?
Can you sit down again, and play another hand?
Could you risk everything, for the chance of being alone?
Under pressure find the grace, or would you come undone?
That's how legends are made, at least that's what they say.
We say goodbye, but never let go.
We live, we die, cause you can't save every soul.
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.
Never let go, Never let go, Never let go
Gotta take every chance to, show that you're the kinda man who;
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go.
Will never look back, never look down,
and never let go. a leo friend
2009-03-13
The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1
God bless the friends and family. My thoughts and prayers are with them. God bless K-9 Diogi, too. REst in peace, heros.
Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08 K.L.
2009-03-08
Dear Deputy Williams and DiOGi,
Today Lake County will again honor Deputy Wayne Koester. It is a time that brings with it great sadness...and great pride. Wayne is not alone, though. God took several angels up with him in such a short time. We know that you,DiOGi, Wayne, and our other fallen heroes are walking that beat and watching out for the rest of us.
Please know that even though we did not know you as we did Wayne, you and DiOGi are still part of us and you will always be our heroes.
Thank you, both of you, for doing what so many of us could never have the bravery or strength to do.
In His name,
LEO Wife and Mom LEO Wife and Mom
2009-02-09
You are and will always be my hero! I love you. Joe Williams
Brother
2009-02-05
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
2009-01-20
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