Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I Drive Your Truck

Eighty-nine cents in the ashtray
Half empty bottle of Gatorade
Rollin' on the floorboard

That dirty braves cap on the dash
Dogtags hangin' from the rear view
Old Skoal can and cowboy boots
And a "Go Army" shirt folded in the back

This things burns gas like crazy
But that's all right
People got their ways of copin'
Oh, and I've got mine

I drive your truck.

I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
Till all the pain is a cloud of dust

I leave that radio playin'
The same ole county station
Where you left it

Yeah, man, I crank it up
You'd probably punch my arm right now
If you saw this tear rollin' down my face
Hey, man, I'm tryin' to be tough

And Mama asked me this mornin'
If I'd been by your grave
But that flag of stone
Ain't where I feel you, anyway

I drive your truck

I've cussed, I've prayed,I've said goodbye
I've shook my fist and asked God why
These days, when I'm missing you this much

I drive your truck.

Yes, sometimes,
Brother, sometimes, I drive your truck

I drive your truck
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
I drive your truck

Missing you

June 13, 2013

You are remembered this week in which we honor our heroes. Thinking of your mother with whom I share a deep if painful bond.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 16, 2013

Matt, remembering all of our hero's on this day.
You are not forgotten and I know that you are loved and deeply missed.

Lorraine Bond

May 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Day My Precious Son. You are the Best and Always will be. I love you, I miss you, I THANK GOD for giving you to me.

Momma

May 11, 2013

Happy Birthday, Matt...you are so loved and so missed. I will be thinking about your sweet Mom tomorrow as I often do; I know that her Mother's Day is not the same since she lost one of her angels. But our memories of you will always bring us peace, smiles, and laughter.

Amy Butt Macedo

May 11, 2013

Happy birthday buddy. Headed to Washington D.C with the Police Unity Tour to honor you and the others we have lost. Still miss you brother...

Deputy Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriffs Office

May 11, 2013

I love you.

Momma

May 8, 2013

Ethan found a twenty dollar bill the other day when they went to Dollywood......it was quickly dubbed the "Uncle Matt $20 bill" , I said that sounded more your speed than all the pennies you are always sending us! Love you son, thanks for still making us laugh and for your gift of extravagant love.

Momma

April 18, 2013

Happy Easter Precious Son. Trying to keep a smile on my face today but its hard. Life has not turned out like we thought it would and it seems like we are struggling to find the joy. Was at a beautiful Easter program last night that helped me refocus somewhat. There was a line that said "maybe when the thunder rolled while Jesus was hanging on the cross it was Him breaking free from his earthly body" ( or words to that effect) it was very powerful, sent shivers over my body. And then when it was talking about Mary standing at the foot of the cross looking up at her son......HER SON......of course I thought of you and my heart was breaking. I have to trust and believe that SOMEDAY we will all be back together. I love you forever and always.

Momma

March 30, 2013

Letting you know Officer Rittenhouse my son and I were thinking about you today as well as the many others who gave their lives so others could live their lives in peace. My son is a Police Officer and I am retired Law Enforcement after 34 years. I know the pain of losing somebody to soon. I can only remember you and others and try to make others understand why you did what you did, because you are one of a very few who had the courage to do this job. I am sorry for your dear mother and her loss but I know you are near to her. Thank you sir....Thank sir. Remembering you today...

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police

March 19, 2013

Received a wonderful gift this week when a customer came in and shared a crazy story of a stop you and Wes had one night! Oh how I love you and miss you!! But always, always, thankful for having you. You're the Best.

Love you Forever.

Momma

March 16, 2013

Linda, was thinking about Don and of course I came to Jesse's to read his reflections. It seems like just yesterday we lost our boys.
Hope you and your family are dong OK.
Love,

Lorraine Bond

February 24, 2013

It's almost over baby boy!! Josh, Richard, Julie and Anna, T.J. and Scott have kept the roads hot getting these flowers out; Jenny and her friend Lori have controlled the front and practically sold the shop out, daddy and I are barely standing but IT'S ALMOST OVER!!!!!! Jessica couldn't stand to be away and came down and fed us last night and hugged and laughed with us for a little while....just need you here and it would all be good. But I felt your arms and saw your beautiful smile and remembered the laughs and heard your telling me to settle down....so we go on.

Loving you FOREVER.
Happy Valentines Day.
Momma

Momma

February 14, 2013

God Speed Officer Rittenhouse and thank you for your brave service. Your fellow Officers, good friends and your family still keeps your memory alive and well. Which lends to the belief you sir are not truly gone but still dwell here among us here. I have no doubt your loving mother can see and feel your presence every where she looks. Keep up the good work Officer Rittenhouse and keep sending little things that tell your loved ones, Fellow Officers and friends that you are indeed still here. Thank you sir...Thank you...

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb (ret)
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police

February 13, 2013

I see your beautiful smiling face every where I look.

Momma

February 2, 2013

You are always remembered.

friend

January 29, 2013

Matt,

Thinking about you Buddy. Starting year 9. Even though for some reason it was not listed as such in the newspaper, we all know and are honored that the Officer of the Year award is the "Officer of the Year Matthew Rittenhouse Memorial Award". We miss you and remember your love of police work. You had to be forced to go home sometimes. Watch over us.

Friend

January 8, 2013

Matt - I am thinking of you tonight as I do often. Alot of people don't understand why certain types of people like working midnights. As I have gotten older midnights are still my favorite but with a family now there is more reason to want to be home. The evening shift, the midnight shift is when most of the "action" happens. And even if it doesn't happen there is rarely people around to aggravate you, you can just ride with the radio on waiting on the next call. We know heaven is be more amazing than the words of the Bible can describe it, it has to be; law enforcement is a pretty amazing job with lots of rewards. Great exciting moments, funny situations and a brotherhood that sticks together and never forgets. So to top some of those great moments, to top those great feelings of reward, heaven has to be a truly amazing place. I think the best part about heaven is that we will never again have to say good bye. We will never again have the feeling of helplessness when a brother or sister is taken.

We miss you buddy and it is intensified by the pain that we know your family feels deeper than anyone. We know that heaven is a truly amazing place that believers will someday see, but it is made sweeter by the loveones that await us. Send extra special things your families way, the still miss you so very much. We all do...

Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriff's Office

January 6, 2013

My Son how I miss you. I keep seeing your smiling face everywhere I look; memories just keep flooding my mind. I want to wrap my arms around you and never let go. It has been a tough season; losing Sarge has made the house seem very empty, but at least he is with you. You know how much we love you and miss you. I tried to do good by you with your presents but nobody could really match your giftgiving. Our greatest gift was and is you.

Merry Christmas My Smiling Eyes.

Momma

December 24, 2012

Officer Rittenhouse I cannot forget you and the terrible circumstances that led to you making the ultimate sacrafice that so many other Officers have made. I am retired now after having served in Law Enforcement for almost 38 years. I guess you sorta remind of my son who is also a Police Officer. I read all the reflections from people who truly knew you as a Police Officer, a Friend, a brother and a loved Son by a Mother who still loves and adores you. I cannot say anything new that has not been said already other than, Sir, thank you the short time on this earth you had and the job you chose to do. Most do not have the spirit, the courage, and the integrity to do this job, you did. I will continue to return here from time to time to let you know you are not forgotten from people who did not personanly know you, strangers indeed, but not strangers in spirit. Your spirit lives in all Officers and others that sometimes only your fellow Officers recognize. Sometimes only your family can recognize your spirit coming through in others but it is there, always will be, forever. Your light still shines Sir.......Thank you....

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb (Ret.)
Norfolk Southern Railroad

December 24, 2012

I miss you. I miss Sarge. I miss Grandpa and everybody else who is gone. I am just struggling and very upset with the way the world is looking right now and wanting it to be better and nicer and easier. I hope your world is better and nicer and easier...because I love you and you deserve that.

Jenny

December 11, 2012

I am picturing Sarge bounding around heaven with you. I told him to tell you I love you when he got there. Precious little dog, we all cried buckets but it was time to let him go back to you. Thank you for always trying to make things better for all of us; I will always treasure the picture in my heart and mind of you rounding the corner in your patrol car with him looking out the window.....bringing me a "new" dog that I didn't even know I wanted :). I just know I need and want and have to see you again. Soon.

Loving you forever.

Momma

Momma

December 8, 2012

Thanks for the funny adventure in your car this weekend with your sisters and for having a part in making sure things worked out for us. We love you and miss you so much.

Momma (with Jenny and Jessica)

Mom

December 2, 2012

My Precious Son I am so thankful for every second I had with you, I hold on to the hope and the promise that one day eternity will connect us all again and I will feel your beautiful big arms around me and get another kiss on the top of my head. Perfection will once again be restored to my heart.

On this Thanksgiving Eve I thank God for the gift of YOU.

Loving you forever and always, to eternity and beyond.

Momma

November 21, 2012

i got to thinkin about you & our family tonight & how much my life has changed in such a short time. Miss & love you more than anything. give grandpa a hug for me too :)

Olivia

November 12, 2012