Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ofc Pavelka followed in paternal footsteps, a trail that led him to pride.
One of courage, one of danger, one of helping a perfect stranger.
He took an oath, hand held high, fearing not evil, he went into the night.
The newness in the job, was starting to subside, that night his partner called him to cover at his side.
The face of evil was before him when he arrived, how was he to know what fate would provide?
Gunfire erupted that Saturday night, from all accounts it was one hell of a fight.
When the thunder stopped, and the clock would stall, a young new patrolman on the ground would fall.
He stood tall in the face of danger, and now his reward would be the face of a stranger.
For as he hit the ground, and it turned to night, God stood before him, shining like a light.
Two Lawmen fell, with only one to survive, and with that we ask why, but never will we know, why this young officer would not get to grow.
As we stand now and listen to the pipes, we see his father there , dressed in his stripes.
Another one down, yet another death, Forget I will not as long as I have breath.
Keep us all safe in the face of danger, for all of us someday, will see the same stranger.
Ofc Pavelka, I salute you, and will carry on the fight.

OFc B. Hubbard
Portland Police Bureau

November 21, 2003

My condolences to Matthew Pavelka's family, friends and fellow officers. He served his nation in many ways and unselfishly gave the ultimate sacrifice for his nation...thanks for being there for the people who needed you the most Matthew.

James Morgan

Investigator James L. Morgan
95th Security Forces Squadron, Edwards AFB, CA

November 21, 2003

When God Made Police Officers . . .

When the Lord was creating Police Officers, He was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said,
"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And the Lord said, "Have you read the requirements on this
order? A Police Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle their uniform."

"They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day."

"They have to be in top physical condition at all times,
running on black coffee and half-eaten meals, and they have to have six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands . . . no way!!"

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."

"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before they ask, 'May I see what's in there, sir?'"
(when they already know and wish they'd taken that accounting job) "Another pair here in the side of their head for their partner's safety, and another pair of eyes here in front so they can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be alright, ma'am,' when they know it isn't so."

"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."

"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."

The angel circled the model of the Police Officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord, "it can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in its sleep, detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop . . . and still it keeps its sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Police Officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced, "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."

"That's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."

"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."

"You're a genius," said the angel.

The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," He said.

Anonymous

November 21, 2003

GOD Bless this Officer's Family and his Fellow Brothers on the Department and may GOD be with the Police Community as they continue to look for this suspect.

Fred Winston
ATF

November 21, 2003

A true hero is measured by the actions taken in life. Officer Pavelka is, and will be forever remembered as a hero. May God Bless your soul, officer Pavelka. God will have a true, dedicated, hero to patrol the streets of heaven.
One day you will be there to meet us fellow officers that will follow you into the gates of heaven, and if we maybe so blessed we will shake your hand and thank you for your dedication to the job.
May god wrap his loving arms around the family, friends, and fellow officers to comfort them in this enormous loss.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the men and women of the, Burbank Police Department. Though we may never meet nor may we know your names, we feel your loss, and forever we will open our thoughts and prayers to our brothers and sisters of your agency.

Sincerely Yours,
The Men and Women of the Mason County Sheriff’s office – Ludington Michigan.

Road Patrol Deputies
Mason County Sheriff's Office - Ludington MI

November 21, 2003

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Pavelka's family, friends and co-workers. Words are not adequate in this time of grief. Your law enforcement family will always be with you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

November 21, 2003

We in Dispatch know what it's like when we lose an officer. I can only say that we grieve right along with the officers. Our prayers are with his family, on and off the force.

Kathy
Salt Lake City Police Dept/Dispatch

November 21, 2003

Rest in peace brother. I did not know you, but now I will never forget you. I had the privilege of being in the San Fernando valley area and seeing your brother and sister officers dedication and committment while searching for the suspect that did this to you. I have every confidence that they will bring him to justice.

Patrolman Corey MacDonald
Portsmouth, NH Police Dept.

November 21, 2003

On behalf of the men and women of the San Diego Harbor Police Officer's Association we would like to extend our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the family of Officer Pavelka and to the Burbank Police Department.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

San Diego Harbor Police Officer's Associ
San Diego Harbor Police

November 21, 2003

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service to your country and community. God willing, we will find this coward and hold him responsible.

Deputy
Monterey County Sheriff's Office, CA.

November 21, 2003

Your fellow officer called for you to protect him on a car stop and your actions showed you did just that. I wish I had someone like you as my follow on all of my stops. God speed my brother.

DGP
TPD

November 21, 2003

Rest in Peace. My prayers are with your family, friends, and agency during this tragedy.

GOD BLESS AND REST IN PEACE!!!!

tonya stephenson
private citizen, PA

November 20, 2003

" I have been where you fear to go... I have seen what you fear to see...I have done what you fear to do...All these things I've done for you. I am the one you lean upon...The one you cast your scorn upon...The one you bring your troubles to...All these people I've been for you. The one you ask to stand apart...The one you feel should have no heart...The one you call the man in blue... But I am human just like you."

Rest in Peace Officer Pavelka.

Officer
California Highway Patrol, North Sacramento Area

November 20, 2003

It breaks our hearts everytime we go into ODMP and see that another officer has given his life in the line of duty. It has not been a good year for the law enforcement officers in California.

My husband and I pray for the family and fellow officers of Matthew Pavelka. We trust that the Lord will comfort and strenghten each of you at this most difficult time.

Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor (Murrieta, Calif.)
Parents of Deputy Sheriff
Morris Lyn Taylor (Roseburg, Oregon)

November 20, 2003

I may only be a police explorer but i stil consider you to be my brother for we are all part of the law enforcement family.
It is officers like you who make me proud of the contry that I live in and motivate me towards pursuing my goal as an officer.

R.I.P

November 20, 2003

I only knew you a short time, but I'm grateful that I had that. You *are* a great man, and a lot of fun. I will never forget the laughs at Code 7. You were destined to become one of my "brothers" like everyone else is. Losing you has been devastating for all of us but they are out there fighting for you just as you fought for Greg, the department and the citizens you didn't even know. God Bless you Matt. Our deepest sympathies go out to your family and loved ones. I know our officers (and those assisting, thank you) will not rest until he's caught.

I miss you but know that you'll always be with us. Thank you for becoming a police officer and for your ultimate sacrifice. Be with God now and our men and women in blue will take it from here.

Lydia Ambrose
Friend

November 20, 2003

To the family, friends, and fellow officers of Officer Pavelka, you have suffered the worst loss possible, just know that prayers for you are constantly said across our great nation, and around the world. He was a courageous warrior who paid his dues in this hell and now is rewarded with a heavenly watch. Keep his memories close, and he will never be far from you. May God hold your hearts in His loving hands until you meet Matthew at the Gates of Heaven.

KY Peace Officer
Isaiah 40:31

November 20, 2003

May God Bless you and keep you in his grace. My deepest sympathies to the Pavelka family.

Officer J. Acosta
Bell Gardens Police Department

November 20, 2003

Matt,
We had just gotten to know you and your unbelievable sense of humor. Losing you has devastated our department, your family and our community. Grief doesn't really explain how I feel personally, I don't think there are words to explain it, this runs much deeper. You unfairly paid the ultimate price. You will always be my hero.
With Love and respect,
Fay Malcolm

Communications Supervisor, Fay Malcolm
Burbank Police Department

November 20, 2003

We will miss you Matt! Life has it's ups and downs, this is truly a down point in all our lives. You were one of the best DAMN Desk Sergeant, I've ever had the pleasure of knowning and work with. You will forever be in all our hearts and lives. My God Bless you and your family.

MSgt E. A. Williams
5 SFS

November 20, 2003

I served with M. Pavelka at RAF Lakenheath, UK. Matt was a great person to work with. I will always remember him.

Gabriel R Canelas

Canelas
student

November 20, 2003

God Bless the Pavelka family. Rest in peace brother, we now have the watch.

Officer Schrade
VAPD-NY

November 20, 2003

I want to send my deepest sympathy's to the family and closest friends to Matthew. God sends angels to this earth all the time. It's our job to recongize the beauty when they are here present...Matthew was one...Take care Bro

SSgt Charles Flanagain
48 SFS USAF

November 19, 2003

Another hero gone!

Rest in peace brother. We will continue the fight.

In memory of Officer Matthew Pavelka and all the fallen officers, please light a blue light in a window of your home and let it shine 24/7!!!!

RJF
CPD,NY

November 19, 2003

RIP my brother.

Police Officer
Prince William County Police Dept (VA)

November 19, 2003