Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office holds a dear place in my heart and the loss of Lt. Mattingly saddens me greatly. Several months after my husband died I met the wife of Maj. Branthover, who was with Montgomery County. We met in a chat room and would talk off and on. When I came to D.C. the year my husband was honored the Branthover's took time out of their busy schedule's to take my daughter and I out. This helped us feel not so quite alone during a very emotional week. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is such a huge presence during police week...I am so very sorry that this next police week you will be there for one of your own.

To Lt. Mattingly's family...I know that you will be loved and taken care of by the family your husband/father was a part of. I know this because if they would love and take care of me, a virtual stranger, they will undoubtedly be there in full force for you. Your family will be in my prayers.

becky muncy

Becky Muncy, Widow
Marc Muncy, Columbus Division of Police, EOW 04/05/95

September 15, 2003

THE POLICEMAN’S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, 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 Sundays, and at times my talk 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, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I’ve wept many 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 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 judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you’ve borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell."



Rest in peace brother, and God blessyou, your family and friends.

Officer Rusty Redican

September 15, 2003

28 years...the things that you have seen and experienced must be extensive. It's a tragedy that you are leaving us now. I will pray for your friends, family, and co-workers of Lt. Mattingly. Please watch over us down here and guide us with your wisdom.

Deputy Faith Hill
Shelby County SHeriff's Office

September 15, 2003

My thoughts are with the family, friends and fellow Officers of Lt. Mattingly Jr.

Officer Julie Schmidt
Louisville Metro Police Dept. Louisville, KY

September 15, 2003

We share in your loss as we lost a brother just last week, we understand what your agency is going through. God bless you all.

Wake County Sheriff Office, Raleigh NC

September 15, 2003

Thank you Lt. Mattingly for your many years of dedicated service. May God be with the family and co-workers of this fine officer at this terrible time.

Captain Scott Wright
Mount hOlly Police Department, NC

September 15, 2003

Deepest sympathy to the family of Lt. Mattingly,Jr..

Anonymous

September 15, 2003

To the family and friends of our Brother Joseph Mattingly Jr;
you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sgt. Chris Culler
Sarpy County Sheriff-Nebraska

September 15, 2003

Rest in peace brother, we shall take the watch from here.....

anonymous

September 15, 2003

Family and Friends,
We are so very sorry for your loss. I know many times I just wish a simple word would calm the hurt and dry the tears. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this storm in your life. We will be beside you to help carry you through when it feels you can't go on.

Cathy Hill, surviving spouse
Deputy Barrett Hill e.o.w. 12/4/00, Harris Co. S.O.

September 15, 2003

My prayers and deepest condolences are with
your Department, and especially with the friends
and family of your fallen hero. Stay strong,
stay focused, and know that Lt. Mattingly will never be forgotten.
Mike Bradford; Tallahassee Police Dept., Ret.

Invest. Mike Bradford-Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept.

September 15, 2003

MAY GOD BLESS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THIS GREAT TIME OF SADNESS AND LOST TO HIS DEPARTMENT AND FAMILY.

DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
SUMNER COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, GALLATIN, TENNESSEE

September 15, 2003

Rest In Peace Lt. Mattingly
Please watch over all of us

Maryland Nat'l Cap. Park Police, Mont. Co

September 15, 2003

Rest in peace brother in blue.
The watch is ours now.

God bless your family.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

September 15, 2003

My thoughts and prayers are with you .
Isaih 40:31

C. Kaye Hunley
Maynardville , TN

September 15, 2003

Lt. Mattingly.. You, your family, your friends, and your co-workers are in my prayers.. God Bless and God Speed..

Communications Operator, Chris Fuchs
Spokane County 911

September 15, 2003

The policeman stood and faced his God,which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining 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, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry a badge can't always be a Saint."
I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk is 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...
though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to 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 a 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 you burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets.
You've done your time in Hell"

G. Houston
South Carolina

September 15, 2003

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Joseph Mattingly Jr's family, friends, and co-workers with the Montgomery County Police Department.

God bless. You walked 28 on our beat. Now you can walk forever on Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

September 15, 2003

You will not be forgotten. May your family find peace in knowing that you lost your life doing what you loved. Until we meet in a better place...........

Sgt. A. Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

September 14, 2003

Day is done,
gone the sun.
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Godspeed to you and your family.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

September 14, 2003

Rest in Peace, Brother and God bless your survivors.

Det Patricia Hamblin
Wilson Co TN SO

September 14, 2003

Rest in peace L.T.

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, 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 Sundays, and at times my talk 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, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many 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 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 judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

Deputy
Dane County Sheriff's Office, WI

September 14, 2003

To the family,

Let god be your guide, in these times of pain. My prayers will be with you and your family.

"A Police Officer's Wife"
A special kind of woman: a cut above the rest,
That's A Police Officer's Wife, rating her best.
How many good byes are whispered, joined with a fond embrace? As duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.
How often have meals been ruined - or tender moments disturbed, by a call for special duty, sparking loyalty unswerved?
It's a devil of a job, for an angel like this,
Who......for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss,
She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need, How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.
She's mother, lover, chauffeur and nurse,
A living symbol of: "for better or for worse."
Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life,
Who chose to be the other half of
A Police Officer's Wife.

I leave you with this poem to reflect on.

A Surving Spouse
William Earl Godwin
Morrisville, NC
May 22, 1997

Deputy Ali Vaughn
Wake Couty Sheriff's Office

September 14, 2003

Thank's Lt. Mattingly for your many year's of dedication. Your memory will never be forgotten! To the Mattingly family my thought's amd prayer's are with ya'll.

R.L. Carroll
Wake County Sheriff's Office

September 14, 2003

MAY GOD BLESS LT MATTINGLYS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS. A VERY TRAGIC LOST. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RETIRED
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 14, 2003