Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I love you more than the world.

July 13, 2006

Matt,
My Dad rode for you with the Police Unity Tour in 2005. Since then I have become really good friends with your family. In a few weeks we are going to visit them and will go see your memorial by your department. I wish I had known you as I know your family now.

Kelly Clark
Chief Clarks Daughter

July 1, 2006

Matt,
I think of you often and keep in touch with your Mom and Jessica. I never expected when I rode in your honor with the Police Unity Tour that I would meet such a wonderful family. That this blue wrist band I wore with your name on it was about to intoduce me to such a warm and loving family. So in a few weeks my family and I will be heading out to Tennessee for our first visit. Jessica spent a few days this year with us before the Unity Tour ride and was a hit with everyone. My daughter Kelly cannot wait until she gets to see Jessica again.

Chief Joseph F. Clark, Jr
North Caldwell Police, NJ

July 1, 2006

Mrs. Rittenhouse,

While on vacation this week, I met the officer from New Jersey (Chief Joe Clark) who rode for your son in the Police Unity Tour. His family said that they have a tight bond with you and Jessica and that you are both very special. I checked my husband's page today and found that you had written a note. Thank you for thinking of us and for your kind words. Things are still very difficult here, as you can relate, and we miss Mike just as much today as we did shortly after he died.

I only hope that Mike and Matt are watching over us together and that those of us left behind can help and comfort each other in tough times. God bless you and your family.

Denise Wise

Denise L. Wise, surviving spouse
Michael H. Wise, II, Reading PD, EOW 6-5-04

June 30, 2006

Bro, I wish you were here (duh, what a freakin understatement)...I miss you (again, quite understated...)...I love you...
your little sis

June 30, 2006

I love you.

June 29, 2006

Matt,

You were over at the house to hang out on the lake our senior year - maybe it was the day you wrecked the jet ski =) You left a pair of your jeans there - I don't know if you knew this, but I still have those. Don't ask me why I never threw them away or gave them back. No clue - but it's been 10 years and they're still in my closet. Every time I walk in there, I see them up on the shelf and I think of you. Maybe it's silly, but I can't seem to give them up.

Perri J. Morrell

June 27, 2006

Matt,

Everyday something reminds me of you, and I think back on all the memories we have together. You were an amazing friend. I don't think I will ever meet anyone who will understand me the way you did. I love you.

June 19, 2006

Matt,

We went to DC this year and I saw you Birthday card on the Memorial Wall. I also ran into your sister, Jenny, at the wall and we spoke briefly. I hear your other sister did rather well riding in the Unity Tour. Remember, you will always be a Hero and a Guardian Angel to your Brother's and Sister's in Blue.

Cpl. Teresa Smith
Loudon County Sheriff Dept.

June 19, 2006

Matt,

I was sitting here at work looking around my office for something to do and there your picture is and so many memories came to mind so I had to stop what I was doing and just have a moment for you. I miss you dearly and hate that you never got to meet my husband and soon to be father of our first child. I hate that in Nov. I will have my first baby and you are not here to share that joy with us. I will never forget all the crazy things Kacey, you and me used to do and all the memories. You were always like a brother to me and I do really miss you. I miss hanging out in the flower shop and anywhere else we found to just hang out and talk. Thank you for the friendship and the memories. I love you and miss you.

Jennifer Cronan
Friend

June 12, 2006

To Matt's Family,

"For GOD alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him.
HE alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On GOD rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in GOD."

We will always remember Matt, his goodness, and his strength.

We pray your wonderful memories will bring some peace and comfort until you are all back together again.

A Friend

June 12, 2006

i have wanted to leave this reflection a thousand times, but the words just never seem to capture what i want to say. first of all, thank you matt, for your unselfish service and passion. without men like you, i don't know where we'd be. no one realizes the danger and the sacrifice you boys make every single time you step foot out the door. to your family, especially your mom, your love is obvious and everlasting. i know it never gets easier, but i do hope that you find some peace and comfort in talking with others, remembering matt, and knowing that you will see each other again someday in that great big blue sky. ms. linda, thank you so very very much for the messages on cole's page. you've left a couple and they always mean so much. such a simple gesture, but it always brings me to tears and to my knees when i realize how blessed i am to have people who still remember and who do understand the reality of this new life without our officers. thank you times a million. you are so very loved and prayed for.

jessi garger
cole martin's fiancee
chatsworth, ga p.d. e.o.w. 4.25.03

June 4, 2006

To Matt thanks for your service and dedication. My dad loved this job and from what your mom wrote you did too. I am a fellow brother in blue currently and love it just the same. I know you, my dad, and all of our fallen brothers are watching down on us. Untill we meet on the streets of gold. Bryan Laurie

Matts mom, thanks for the reflection it really means alot to me, and my family.

Bryan Laurie Son of Fallen Officer
Nathan Laurie EOW 7-29-04

June 4, 2006

At the U.S. Capitol service this year, when "Go rest high on that mountain" was sang, I thought of the countryside the day Matt was laid to rest. It was a time to reflect on all of our brothers and sisters who left us too soon. To Matt's mother..Maam, know that we will never forget. We will always pay honor and tribute to his life and service. I pray God will hold you near to him and grant you and all that love Matt the peace to make it through each day. May God bless you and keep you all until the day that you see Matt again.

Blount Co. S.O., TN

June 4, 2006

Linda,
Thank you for your post on Tara's page. Washington was truly amazing. Our nation is the greatest nation and Law Enforcement is the greatest family.
We too had a very difficult May. Tara's birthday is May 19, just a few days after returning from DC. The local County had a Law Enforcement Memorial and vigil that night. It was beautiful and also very difficult. I will lift you and your family up in prayer.
You can learn more about Tara and how she got involved in Law Enforcement from her website, taradrummond.com. I hope that your June is more comfortable than May.

Brian Drummond
Kennesaw GA Officer Tara Drummond EOW 9-13-05

June 1, 2006

To the Rittenhouse Family,
Matt sounds a wonderful man and I know he is still with you, loving you every second of the day.May Our Lord Bless and Keep you all.

June 1, 2006

It's the last day of the month son, May has become one of the hardest months to get through now, just too much. Your birthday, Mother's Day, Police Week, Memorial Day.......all within days of each other. All entertwined with memories and stories of you, all told differently now. It used to be funny to tell how you were born on the Friday before Mother's Day and I waited as long as I could to go to the hospital since we were in the Florist business and it's the BUSIEST WEEKEND of the year!!!!!!,and then bless your heart your birthday parties always had to be scheduled around the holiday. You and your sisters always just thought our "abnormal" life at holiday times was "normal" and some of your favorite stories came from those times. Remember eating at the bar at Darryl's on Christmas Eve one year when you all were little because everything else was closed? You all LOVED it! For years I felt quilty because we had to drag you all around that night to pick up flowers for a funeral the next day....then I learned it was one of your all's favorite memories. We do have the stories, don't we, and the love.....for each other........forever and always. It's just hard, to be alone, to be without you, to be without all of us together on earth again. Our hearts are always together though, you are always a part of our lives..........Baby Boy, Bud, Matt, Mattthew, Uncle Matt, Uncle Mack.........and a thousand other things that you are to a thousand other people......forever and always.

Mom

Momma

May 31, 2006

Dear Matt:

I have been wanting to write to you and just cannot find the words I want to express. I am Cole's mom, and was at the memorial wall during police week. I visited your name on several occaisions and felt the love your family has for you. There was a write up about your sister doing the Unity Tour. I know you are proud. I am proud for her too. Your Mom left a picture of you and a card. I want you to know that I am proud that Cole is in such good company. Thank you Matt for your service and for the person you were. I leave this reflection with the most sincere respect and admiration for you and your family.

All my love
Debra Hickman
Mother of Cole Martin EOW 4/25/03

May 24, 2006

I was looking at the moon last night, and I felt you looking down on me. Thank you for your love that endures forever. I miss you always.

May 23, 2006

hey bro...well, geez louise, i did it...for you and for the family...i can't believe how quickly the ride was and honestly how well we all did. i can tell you that i gave it my all the whole time. i love you and miss you...i know you would have picked me up and spun me around after finishing had you been here...i look forward to you doing that in heaven. i love you forever and miss you until i see you again.
your 'lil sis
jessica

jessica
little sister

May 18, 2006

Matt
i was going through my training file a few days ago, and i found a copy of my fingerprint cards from when i started at Kingston, and i seen where you were the one that fingerprinted me. i started thinking back, as it was the first time i had met you. i thought this kids arrogant, but i soon learned it was not arrogance it was confidence in your job, and i came by frequently to shoot the bull. there is not a day that goes by that i don't think of you. I have a picture of you on my board at work, and one at home that your mother was kind enough to give me.I know we were not best friends, and we rarly had contact after you went to Harriman, but when we did see each other i could always depend on you for a good laugh. i remember you asked me to meet you at Pattersons one night for a 10-14. When i got there the guy was drunk off butt, and crazy as the day is long you laughed at me when i seen who it was. it took me days to get the smell out of my Jeep. I told you then i owed you one.unfortunately i never got to collect. You passed way before your time.You and Jones watch over us. This world get crazier everyday.

Ptlm Troy Wright
Kingston PD

May 17, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT.....sorry it is late but things as you know were crazy around here thursday. This is to soon to happen again. We love you and still miss you.

lavada vance
friend

May 15, 2006

Matt, I meant to leave you a message on the 11th. It got really hecktic on the 11th. At least me and J. Mynatt made it up the hill to see you at about midnight on the 11th.
Im hoping your mom is doing ok today. We love and miss you greatly Matt.

Jason Joseph
Kingston Police Dept

May 14, 2006

Hey Matt! I haven't been here in a while, but I think about you every time I look in my wallet at the picture you mom gave me. Something told me to come here today and read your reflections and then I remembered that yesterday was your birthday. So Happy Birthday Matt!! Keep watching over us man! And we will see you again one day!

Chris Wilson
friend

May 12, 2006

Matt,
I didn't forget your birthday, I just got so busy at work that I couldn't leave a reflection until after midnight. I prayed for your family today as I always do, just today I asked God to supply a little more comfort than usual. I also asked him to help everyone remember the great times we all had together and help us through the sad moments. We miss you buddy.

Chris Massengill
Harriman City Police Department

May 11, 2006