Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace my friend. Even though we never met, I feel like I've known you before. I was driving on the 5N FWY today and noticed the Memorial Sign dedicated to you. I remember watching your memorial service on the Burbank/Glendale Public Access channel, and it was just amazing to see the love and support of all your family, friends and fellow officers.

William

December 14, 2005

Matt,
Several day's ago, I was saddened to learn of another tragic death that some might say is directly related to the incident in which you lost your life. It hardly seems that its been more than two years ago since I received a call on 16Nov03 from a friend telling me Off. Campbell had been shot, was critically wounded, and that he may not make it. I was also told that you had been killed while backing Greg up. I had more than a passing interest in what had happened as I had been Greg's friend, his partner, his neighbor since 1984 and I've backed him up many times myself. I also proudly wore the uniform of a Burbank Police Officer so you and I have patrolled the same streets. I remember thinking at the time this happened that your death was another tragic loss not only to the law enforcement community but to your family as well. After getting the call, I drove out to L.A. from my home here in Missouri to see if I could be of any assistance to Greg or his family and to say good-bye if it came to that. Once it was clear he would make it, I came back home. From then until now I doubt that, not having known you personally, that I thought much more about you or your life. That is until the other day as I paused to reflect on the passing of another. For some reason or another I ended up on this web-site looking at your picture.
I began to read about you and your life, page after page of testimonials from family, friends, co-workers, and complete strangers. It was then that I realized that, despite all of the pain and suffering brought down upon two families by the senseless acts of two knuckleheads, your death had not been in vain. For in you people saw the true meaning of "Duty, Honor, and Country", in you they saw demonstrated the true meaning of selfless courage and "Greater love that one can have for another, that he would lay down his life. In you they saw a role model, a real life American Hero. I'm not afraid to admit that when I finished reading about you my eye's were filled with tears. So, Off. Pavelka, I salute you and its not hard for me to close my eye's and imagine that upon the occassion of your arrival at the foot of God that he looked down at you and said "Well done, my good and faithful servant, Well done!
My deepest respect & regards
J.B. "Brian" Wilburn
Springfield, MO

Brian Wilburn

December 9, 2005

Matt, We have just passed the 2 year mark. It does not get easier as I have been told, I sometimes think I cannot make it another day. I think how you loved life and would want me to stay and do the same. We all miss you so very, very much!

November 22, 2005

Only here are where they lie, and not too far away,


Are those who gave their hearts without delay,


They seek the offspring of virtue and dismay,


To walk through the unknown, a realm between night and day,


In daily horrors a dream is awakened today,


It is not given, nor can it ever be taken away,


It lays upon those who must carry its burden and draws them to sway,


With what shields the good , is what bleeds the bearer the same way,


But in them a greater hope lies here, standing on display,


The cycle of life, lived and lost, are reborn everyday,


Our love we give, once again, remembering the month of May,


In a place between the distant voices and thoughts,


Within our busy taken lives, somewhere we meet, to stop and listen to what they have to say,


In moments like these do they come to stay,


To revive the ones before us, to love the ones with us and watch over the forthcoming,


It doesn’t take much to find them again,


They've always been with us and not too far away.

Ofc. Benny Simonzad
Glendale Police Dept.

November 9, 2005

To Matt;
I did not know you,but I respect you.
As a former cilvian volunteer for a
small agency,felt the need to write.
I have known and worked with many
great officers and I miss working
with them.Our agency was taken over
by the L.A. county sheriff dept.
To the Pavelka family my heart gose
out to you.
Chris James

CHRIS JAMES , CILVIAN VOLUNTEER
LOS ANGELS COMMUNITY COL.P. D.

November 3, 2005

I did not know you Officer Pavelka, but we shared the same beats and even the same badge number.
Thank you for your sacrifice and may you rest in peace.
My condolences to the Pavelka family.

J. Gibbons- retired police officer
Burbank P.D.

May 20, 2005

Although I never had the opportunity to meet Matt; As a former Burbank officer through the 80's we certainly pounded some of the same pavement with the same goals. That is a brotherhood that bonds us all and transcends our life on earth. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to your family and loved ones.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.", Matthew 5:9

Retired Deputy Marty Turner
Washakie Co. S.O., Wyoming

May 5, 2005

Rest in Peace

Correctional Officer
Michigan Dept.of Corrections

April 6, 2005

1 corintians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends

Officer Pavelka thank you for your service and dedication. You will be missed and never forgotten. May your family, fiancée, and everyone who loves you stay strong in the memories and love you shared with them.

I lost my fiancée, Scott Stewart, in August of 2002. There not a day that goes by without him in my heart and mind. I understand the pain your fiancée must feel from being ripped from you to soon. The support and love from others who know my pain have helped tremendously.

Jessica, if you ever feel the need to reach out to others who know your pain, please contact me and other s/o. A search on yah groups will bring you to us. Just enter the below as it is.

Always remember as long as your heart beats Matthew will be with you. He’s there everyday in your heart.

Hugs,
Monica
Fiancee Scott Stewart EOW 8-11-02 Detroit

OfficerDownSignificantOthers

February 16, 2005

MATT,

OUR PATHS ONCE CROSSED IN THE STREETS OF BURBANK WHEN YOU ASSISTED ME IN THE BAIL FUGITIVE THAT I WAS TRYING TO DETAIN. THAN YOU CAME ALONG, AND IT WAS LIKE IT WAS ALL MEANT TO BE. AS YOU TOOK THE SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY, THE LAST WORDS YOU SAID TO ME WAS "KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN." AND THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY WHEN I EXECUTE A WARRANT AND MAKE ENTRY THAT YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM GOES THROUGH MY HEAD. THE DAY I HEARD YOU WERE SHOT, I PRAYED THAT YOU WOULD RECOVER. BUT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS FOR YOU. AFTER I HEARD THE SUSPECT FLED TO MEXICO, YOU CAN MAKE FOR SURE THAT I DID NOT HESITATE TO THINK TWICE ABOUT GOING INTO MEXICO TO GET THE BASTARD. I WAS ALREADY PUTTING TOGETHER THE GUYS TO DO SOMETHING MOST WOULD NOT DO.

REST IN PEACE BROTHER, AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING UPON US. THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DINT THINK ABOUT THAT NIGHT WHEN IT WAS JUST THE TWO OF US. YOU ARE TRULY A GIFT FROM GOD. TAKE CARE BROTHER. AIM HIGH.

ANTHONY A OLIVER
BOUNTY HUNTER.

P.S. WHENEVER I TRAVEL TO YOUR CITY I STOP TO SEE THE SIGN THE CITY DEDICATED TO YOU. YOU SHOULD SEE IT MATT. ITS BEAUTIFUL, AND YOU DESERVE IT. MAY GOD BLESS THE PAVELKA FAMILY.

ANTHONY A. OLIVER BOUNTY HUNTER.
CALIFORNIA FUGITIVE WARRANTS

January 13, 2005

Merry Christmas Big Matty! You're in our hearts & thoughts. Much love to your family & friends. God Bless you!

Your friends at BPD

December 26, 2004

Matt,

I think of you often-actually I think of us often because we were so close; it is hard to separate the two. There are so many shared experiences and memories that only you and I held. I try so hard everyday to remember all the small details-the black lab thermometer, the floodlight on the garage, our bike rides through the forest, your favorite "white sauce" chicken.

I saw your life on the grand scale, the scale that made everyone else see what a hero you were, but I also shared in your "everyday" life. I will not let that be forgotten. Matt, you did an amazing thing and the world should thank you. You are a hero. But, I will always love you for the small things that we shared together. Thank you; thank you for sharing, and thank you for creating so many memories with me.

Meredith

November 26, 2004

Big Matty,
I Can't believe its been a year now. Not a day goes by without thinking of you. I will always remember when we met at the Heath. From that day on we became family. We spent those years day in and out working side by side, we spent those days with our family which we developed. The years we had together were the best of my life and I always reflect on those times and memories. It's hard not being able to call or see you, but I always know you're with us and smiling upon us all. I remember the last time we spent together. You were headed back home to California. You were so excited because you were going back home to your family and start you were stating your new journey in life. At the same time it was hard because you were leaving our family we had in England. I remember how happy you were when we said our good byes and hugged. I said you made it! Tears filled everyones eyes that were there with us. I never would have guessed that would be the last time we would see each other and the last memories we would have together. I always look to that day and remember that smile upon your face. Our last good bye couldn't have been any better. Everyday I always keep a part of you with me. I received a Burbank Police Patch which I keep close at all times. You will always be greatly missed and loved Matty.

Officer John W. McCaul
Turtle Creek P.D.

November 18, 2004

My prayers are with Matthew's family.

November 16, 2004

Matt!

Thank you for your courage and dedication! We will never forget you!

Jessica

November 15, 2004

Today is a sad day for us all Matt, as we remember and mourn what happened one year ago. We have missed you terribly throughout this time.

This morning there was a dedication ceremony on the front steps for the freeway sign that will be put up. It's beautiful. We cried as your dad spoke, and as we watched the unveiling.

Tonight we will continue to honor your memory, as well as be there for Greg (always). You are our hero and will forever be in our hearts. Thank you for being so strong & courageous. We all love you.

Lydia Ambrose
Friend

November 15, 2004

A full year has now passed and we still grieve the loss of this fine youg promising hero. We have thought of Officer Pavelka every day and we dedicate all of our shifts today in honor of jis service and sacrafice to his country, community and family.

Are thoughts are with his fellow officers, family and friends on this particularly difficult day of rememberence.

OMY/COP/WPD
11/15/04

Chief of Police / Olen M. Young
Wauneta PD Nebraska

November 15, 2004

"The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us." - Jean Paul Richter

Matt,
You're not forgotten ...
November 15, 2004

November 15, 2004

Officer Pavelka,
I visit this website often and saw that today will be a very difficult time for your friends and family. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrafice and doing a job that not a lot of people are willing to do. Your work will never be forgotten as you will live on forever in the hearts of many people.

November 15, 2004

Matt
I have just read your ODMP, my wife, family and fellow OPP officers extend our deepest sympathies to you, your loved ones, members of BPD and all other brothers and sisters in blue.
When you hurt, we hurt
when you cry, we cry
when you fall, we fall
when god takes you, we mourn and trust you are in better hands, may god bless you and your family. Be safe
Simon Moussa
Ontario Provincal Police
S.A.V.E Team

Provincial Constable Simon Moussa
Ontario Provincial Police, North Bay, Ontario Canada

November 8, 2004

Happy Halloween Matt. We just couldn't stand knowing that there haven't been any messages left the entire month of Oct. We're still thinking of you constantly.

BPD

October 31, 2004

Just wanted to say "Hey" and thanks!!! It wasn't in vain, the battle still continues in your name!

Kitty

Detective
Burbank

September 27, 2004

fellow brother almost a year goes by and you are in the hearts of many. Thoughts and prayers are still with you and your family!

Police Officer Mischel
Grantville Police Department, Ga

September 10, 2004

ALL of our Officers, both Civilian and Military, grieve over the loss of Police Officer Matthew Pavelka. Condolences and prayers for his loved ones, Police family, and Friends. Officer Pavelka....you did, "Protect and Serve". All of us thank you for your commitment. What a MENTOR. We, (all Police Officers), know why you responded with dedication.

Detective
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, CHARLESTON, SC

September 7, 2004

Happy birthday Matt. Vickie & the rest of your crew just put on an awesome off probation party with a midnight toast to you that just brought tears to all of our eyes. We all miss you very much. God Bless you Matt. We will never forget you.

L. & B. Ambrose
Burbank Police Dept.

September 1, 2004