Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

bill--there are 3 toneys looking down on us now..and im sorry, but i know you are with him..and he is with his big brother and dad.
andrew-i am so sorry,please be strong, you are the man of the family...take care of your mother and sister, and most importantly yourself...this world needs you.
beth-dont give up
joanne-as a mother i couldnt imagine.my heart is broken for you. please keep god with you, you still have so much here, 2 wonderful kids,2 beautiful grand daughters. and you have 3 wonderful men looking down on you..your strenght amazes me, i praise you for the job you have done with your family. it makes me so happy that andrew calls you his best friend, you have done well.
i will always think of your family and smile, you are all very special.

RIP..Ron,Bill,Todd.....we miss you...

Bill,

You have a great brother to be proud of and I'll bet that you are. Keep an eye on him, cause I know he misses you!

Anonymous

Bill-

Well, myself and the rest of my classmates made it. We graduate on January 9th, 2003. Wow- 2003!?!? Where in the world does time go? They always say the older you get the faster time goes. Well, they are right. I started the academy June 4th and it's pretty much over now. I made new friends within the academy and learned so much. I thought that I was ready for certain things then, but something or someone rather, showed me I wasen't. I owe that certain person so much. He knows what's to be expected and he showed me, and I am 100% sure I learned what it's all about now. I still have things to learn however, but who doesn't?
Well, they say secrets don't leave Cancun, but after Shea got back home at the end of October, I guess I kind of proved that little saying wrong. It's funny dude, just when you think you have everything going for you-Bam, blows up in your face. She did make me weak and sure I loved her, but that's nothing when someone does you like she did me. I know too, you have to find things out the hard way.
Mom has been the best man. I talk to her about 3-4 times a day. So she gets to hear all my problems, all my stories about whoever or whatever, and she ofcourse is always right about everything. It's pretty weird how she knows everything about me. She is easily my bestfriend.
Todd is doing great man. Him and I talk pretty much every day. Dude, he is for sure on top of his game and every one elses. He is so much more concentrated and his delivery of his material is amazing. As you knew, he has what it takes to take him anywhere he wants to go. I know he is done with everything in the past, I just wish certain people could and would realize that. But like every else, they'll just have to wait and see.
Beth is doing great. She is almost done with school and then it's off to teaching. Wow, our little sister that we used to sqeeze mustard in her mouth is going to be a teacher. Her and I don't always get along, but I am so proud of her.
Man you wouldn't believe the girls. Jessica is so precious, and ask for Emily, she's real funny. They are growing up so fast- I can't believe it. Christmas is coming up in a few days. I was just talking to some friends of mine the other day about how you, Todd, and I would leave moms Christmas Eve. Those were some times I sure as heck will never forget. Well, to tell you the truth, there are so many times I won't forget and I would wish for more times, but you can't do nothing about the past. Like I said last time I left something here, there's not a minute that goes by that you don't enter my head. I think about things all the time. Since all that has happened, not trying to sound selfish here, but I am so much of a better person. I don't mad about things I use too, I may still get a little frustrated at times, but who doesn't.?.? I just wish everyone could realize what they have in their families instead of taking advantage of things.
The past 6 1/2 months through the academy, I have to say I found who the real Andrew Toney was. I found out who my true friends are, who I can trust, who really cares about me- I just got a lot of thinking done and things accomplished. I owe a lot of my gratitude to you. You have pushed me through everything here in th past few months like you did when you were here, and I thank you. I miss you a lot man, and it doesn't change day to day. I would wish for you to be back, but i can't , so what's the use.
It's kind of hard how we are drifting slowly but surely from Dee-Dee and stuff. I would say it will probably end up like dad's side of the family, but then there are the two little girls that just get to me every time I see them. I know Dee-Dee is doing well though. And ask for Fields, she starts that academy in January. I know you will be with her through that, like you are everyone else.
I am pretty sure that I am going to apply for Marion County in April. I really want to do it and I know I have the heart and the desire to do it. We will just have to see how it goes and hope for the best. I know you and dad will be with me, like every thing else. Well dude, I will be talking to you and I will definitely see you and dad when I get there.

I love you brother and I miss you dearly,
-Andrew- "8" (keep em' coming)

andrew-what a wonderful reflection! im sure bill is so proud of you..it was nice to see your post..i wish i had your email address...you have been through so much..you have to know that with the impact ron and bill had on those who knew them that they will NEVER be forgotten..i think being a officer is a wonderful choice..my brother is on county and they would be lucky to have you serve with them...follow your dreams...

Anonymous

Two years it has been and it's still so hard to beleive you are gone. So many things have changed but you are thought of daily and missed eternally! "Life has a flavor the protected will never know"...you are missed my friend!

Anonymous

Bill-
When dad was taken from us, I saw how you reacted and I kind of understood at age 13. When you were taken from us, I really understood at 21. I've seen a lot of things in my life and I've had to grow up very quickly. Now, at age 23, I'm headed down a road that has endless possibilities. I really want to do this. There is nothing in my way except a police department telling me no. But, that's not even going to stop me because I will just keep trying.
It's just weird dude without you here. Since you've been gone, I'm so much more emotional toward the littlest things. That's another thing I saw in you and wondered after dad. People don't realize man, you don't know what you have till it's gone. I appreciate the littlest things, thank God for everything and just take it easy all the time.
Even though there's so much to say- well people think that talking all the time or thinking they have to prove something is going to get them somewhere. You know exactly what I'm talking about. That's why I talk low and soft, and don't say much at all. People are just so two faced, so scared to tell people what they really think, so worried about what so-and-so did last week with whoever,and so concerned with what other people think about what they wear, say, or do--who cares. Like we use to talk all the time- If they would just love everyone and worry about themselves, then everything would be cool. It's just plain cruel how this place is. You knew it, and it was only a matter of time before I got older and realized everything-the way this place works. Instead, you had to be taken away for me to realize all that I do now- and it's tough. I'm not asking anyone to feel sorry for me, but it's all like a ton of bricks hitting me at once. I mean man, you've been gone 2 years. That's life I guess. People are like, "how do you do it, you've lost so much in your life." What they don't realize is, that if the same things happened to them, then they would know how I do it. Two paths to be taken. One, your depressed all the time and don't know what to say or think and become crazy from it. Two, the path I walk down-I am here one time, I live every day laid back, except when things have to be done. God tests me out every day, some days I fail those tests and other days I pass. I know one thing, I will see you and dad when all this crap on earth is said and done with a "BIG TONEY SMILE."
As you knew, friends are hard to come by. I have a few good friends that I can really trust and depend on, and then I have those friends that I am cool with-you know. I have become closer with mom and a lot closer with Dee-Dee.
I see that you had good friends too. Matter of fact, after I graduate from this academy, I owe everything to Mike. I have learned a lot about myself, law enfocement, a lot about responsibility, along with many-many other things that are important in life.
Shea and I have just recently started talking again. Man, I hurt her pretty bad. She is willing to give me another chance and I am taking it. I've obvisouly lost a lot in life, and she's something I've lost, and seems to be the only thing that I love that I can have back. I am going to treat her like a queen- she deserves it plus.... She is a wonderful loving person that I'm going to hold on too. She makes me very happy-she breaks down all of my defenses.
I'm so weak when I see her and hold her-you know? I'm like wow!(I'm like "5")hah-hah!
Dee-Dee is in good hands with one of those friends of mine that I can trust with my life. I without a doubt know that Ryan will be the best to her. I wouldn't tell you that if I didn't mean it or think you wouldn't think so either. She is in very good place with him and I love them both very much.
There of couse isn't a minute that goes by that you don't enter my head. I can see everything that happened that night like it was in front of my face. The court room was very hard. Matter of fact, I can't even come up with a word for it. I apoligize for going back and fourth with Ritchie in there. I just was so messed up that he was actually in the same room as us. I can't wait until I get to put hevins like him in jail. I won't treat them any certain way, but you know.
Make sure you and dad watch over me in my pursuit toward law enfocement. I believe a process for County starts in April. That's what I want to do and I'm ready for it, and will be even more ready for it then.

I Love You Brother,
-Andrew- #8(keep 'em coming)

you are still in our hearts bill...i think of you often...and i pray for your family...its almost as if i still cant believe it..or maybe i just dont want to...it comforts me to know you are watching over us now..you told me one time you would watch over my house in beech grove and "keep an eye on things" for me..that was my first house and i felt safer knowing you were in the area...watch over the house up there because one day we will all come to see you...

Anonymous

Today they found him guilty and he will die for what he did. Your wife has been so strong and you would be so proud of her. You are missed Bill.. Watch over all of us.

Deputy
MCSD

My heart goes out to Dee Dee and the rest of Bill's family. The verdict came down today on the death penalty and I am sure it was very hard on everyone. I met Dee Dee through our support group because my husband was killed in the line of duty 7 days after Bill. Always remember I am and will be here for you Dee Dee.

Hang in there
Susie Matteson
survivor of Brad Matteson, EOW 10-5-00, Fort Wayne PD

Susie

Bill you are still in our hearts..we have not forgotten...I saw your wife and children at the fair recently and they are all beautiful..my heart goes out to them...Dee Dee you are a strong person...Justice will be served..and to JoAnne,Todd,Andrew, and Beth..our prayers are also with you.......

Anonymous

Bill,
You're missed more and more each day.

Anonymous

Still and always...missed!

Anonymous

Bill, I was very sad to find your name on this site. I attended Tri-State with you back in '89-'90. I pray for your family and friends. I am proud of your dedication to your job, you are a true hero. Goodbye for now brother, I will see you on the other side.

Officer Jason Frank
Walker Police Dept. Walker, Michigan

It has been well over a year since Bill was taken from us. Only recently have things seemed to return to a "different" normal. However, things will never be normal again. The next paragraph is a poem that is actully about pilots and flying. However, it reminds me of Bill's free-spiritedness and the thought of him in Heaven. It seems to help ease the mind a little.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling
mirth of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred
things you have not dreamed of - wheeled
and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.
Hovr'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along,
and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up, the long, delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

Bill , we will always remember you "Memor Semper"

William Melrose
Beech Grove Police

Bill,
I feel like I know you just by all the great things that have been said by those who knew you. You are a true inspiration and I thank you for your courage.

Dee Dee, thank you for taking the time to present our class with the "Mental Award." I hope to be as strong as you and your family.

01RA31

Deputy
Marion County Sheriff's Department

Bill, It's been a year now since you were taken from us. I still don't understand it and probably never will. I can say I am eternally heartbroken over your loss. I'm so proud to have been your friend!

Mike