Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God rest your soul brother in blue.

M. Sumner
Glendale P.D.

November 18, 2003

May the wonderful mercy of God be with our brother officer next door. Words cannot express the tragic sense of loss we feel. Our prayers are with Matthew's parents and all of his family, including his brother and sister officers of the Burbank Police Department.

The evil that is so insidious in our society displayed itself in the most horrifying way on Saturday. But as long as we have good people like Matthew, evil will never triumph. His sacrifice in this ongoing battle will never be forgotten.

For all who try to make sense of this cruel murder, take solace from scripture. "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

So long for now, Matthew.

COPPS Unit
Glendale (CA), PD

November 18, 2003

The Officers and staff of the Valley Nebraska Police Department offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and staff of Officer Matthew Pavelka. In this tragic violent world may you all know, that his loss is felt by all of us. Rest in peace brother.

Valley Police Staff
Valley Ne. Police Dept.

November 18, 2003

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Matthew, today and always. From all the Staff of the Community Family Counseling Center; Glendale Police Dept.

Zoe Sager, LMFT Clinical Director
Glendale PD Community Family Counseling Center

November 18, 2003

Your Department and the family of Officer Pavelka are in out thoughts and prayers.

Carrie Mazelin, Detective
Monterey Park PD

November 18, 2003

I pray for your family, friends, and your partner who was also shot.

Tammy Jacobs
Widow of Riverside Police Det Doug Jacobs EOW 01 13 01

November 18, 2003

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FELLOW COLLEAGUES OF OFFICER PAVELKA,

I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST OFFER MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO OFFICER PAVELKA'S DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHOM ARE IN SO MUCH PAIN AT THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU ALL. I AM TRULY SORRY FOR YOUR TERRIBLE HEARTBREAKING LOSS.
MY HUSBAND IS AN LAPD DETECTIVE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IT ALWAYS AFFECTS MY FAMILY AND I WHEN WE HEAR OF SUCH A TRAGIC DEATH. I KNOW IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AND TO ANYONE. ALWAYS KNOW THAT HE WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO BE WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND WILL CONTINUE PROTECTING THOSE HE LOVED SO DEARLY. MAY HE CONTINUE TO LIVE THROUGH ALL THE LOVING MEMORIES YOU ALL WILL CHERISH. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND KEEP YOU ALL SAFE.

WIFE OF LAPD DETECTIVE
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPT.

November 18, 2003

God gave you the strength and courage to be a peace officer. I pray God give your family and friends your strength and your courage to face the difficult times ahead.
God Bless,
Your Sister in Blue.

Officer Shirley Blodgett
Enid Police Dept., Oklahoma

November 18, 2003

My prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Pavelka, again there is another hero taken from us all to soon. To all our officer's stay safe, and thank you.

Peggy Maher-Dreher
Sister of Patrick Maher EOW 8-02-03

November 18, 2003

Sweet dreams angel, may god take care of you now. our thoughts are with your department and family in this time of tragedy,

Anonymous

November 18, 2003

Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten by for brothers in blue

Police Officer
NYPD

November 18, 2003

Rest easy brother for you have been embraced by the wings of angels. Your watch is over and you have given the ultimate sacrafice. Your brothers and sisters in blue will carry on the fight for you and will always honor your memory. God bless the family that you have left behind and help them get through this ordeal. God look over your fellow Burbank Police Officers as they track down the one that got away.

Officer K. Matthews
Huntsville P.D., Alabama

November 18, 2003

Rest in peace brother, your served with bravery and courage! God bless your family and co-workers.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

November 18, 2003

"Greater love hath no man, than to lay down his life for another."
Today these aren't just words.
To all the loved ones, friends, and brothers and sisters of the badge, I offer my heartfelt condolences. Nothing can replace your officer, but may the memories of happy times spent with him someday ease the pain you're feeling now.
Know that law enforcement will never stop until the coward who did this terrible thing is caught and brought to justice.
Your officer did not lose his life-he gave it protecting another officer and his community. He will ever be remembered as the hero he is.
My prayers are with you.
Sgt. Barbara Beland
Monroe Co. S.D.

Sgt. Barbara Belandm
Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.

November 18, 2003

My thought and Prayers go out to the men and women of the Burbank PD and Ofc. Pavelka's family. May God bless you.

PO II R.T. Flynn
Lynchburg, Va PD

November 18, 2003

To all at Burbank P.D. It has been my privelage to work alongside all of you this week. Know that all of you are in my family's prayers. Matt is a hero and together we will show our community our courage and resolve in protecting the community while taking care of each other in this sad time.

Matt will not be forgotten and we will find the outstanding suspect. There is no doubt.

Police Chaplain Steve Hillmann
Los Angeles Police Department

November 18, 2003

Just a quick message to let everyone that is left behind that the peace of God surpasses all understanding.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Ofc Campbell
Dean College Police Department

November 18, 2003

Goodspeed Matt!

Deputy Holthaus
Kootenai County Sheriff's Dept, CDA, ID.

November 18, 2003

This is a very sad and tragic time. This officer made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in a safer world. Thank you officer for your dedication and committment. May your family, friends, fellow officers, find comfort and carry on your legacy. A Hero will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Anonymous

November 18, 2003

Matthew, as you now know, Jesus Loves You, so do we! He loved another Matthew before you, but loves you just as much.

Ret Officer RB Wade
Richmond,VA Police

November 17, 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 Officer Matthew Pavelka's family, friends, and co-workers with the Burbank Police Department.

God bless this very young brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat!

Officer Johns
Georgia Perimeter College Police Department

November 17, 2003

Yet again we mourn the loss of another true hero. Officer Matthew Pavelka your sacrifice has touched us all. Now you can rest easy my brother and Keep watch from above. Family, friends and co-workers if you look to the LORD you will find peace and comfort during these hard times. You are all in my PRAYERS. GOD BLESS.

DFC Vernon Brown
Orange County Sheriff's Office, Fl

November 17, 2003

To all the men and women of the Burbank Police department my thoughts and prayers are with you. This is a great loss but always remember officer Pavelka LOVED going to work. How many people can say that. He is a hero and will always be remebered as one.

police officer, Bob Alvarez K9
LAPD

November 17, 2003

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Matthew did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Matthew be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Pavelka's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his family. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Matthew is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Matthew was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

November 17, 2003

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Pavelka for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

November 17, 2003