Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Memories I will always treasure:
An unexpected hug,
Your little hand in mine,
The sweet sound of your voice.
XOXO Always in my ♥
Today you would be 51 years old. I can only imagine what could have been. You were a joy from the very first moment you were placed in my arms. Always remembered with great love.
Mom

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 31, 2025

Still missing you Matthew more than ever. The tribute to your memory and sacrifice on March 8, 2025 was unbelievably well attended even after all these years. So many people remembering what a treasure you were. We can only imagine the great things you may have accomplished. Chief Scott Anderle's eulogy was outstanding. Thank you to the Chief and Borough Council for their continued efforts to commemorate your memory. I would give my very life if it would bring you back. xoxo

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 12, 2025

19 years. Seems like yesterday. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family always.

Deputy Chief Al SELLINGER
Scotch Plains Police Dept

March 9, 2025

Remembering Matthew and how much he loved celebrating Christmas xoxo
Forever missed and remembered with love.

Love,
Mom

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

December 27, 2024

Matty,

I think about you every morning and I think about you every night and a million times throughout the day. My heart is forever broken. I miss your gently nature and unmistakeable laugh. Memories are cherished but no replacement for your presence. I have asked the question Why? but there is no answer. You earned your wings however all too soon.

I love you,
Mom
xoxo

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

July 24, 2024

Thank you doesn't seem enough ~~~ Vittorio Spadea and Christine Petzold riding in the police Unity Tour in memory of Matthew, David Petzold both #11 EOW 2006.

My beloved son you are remembered and sadly missed. I love you.

JANE MELCHIONDA
Matthew's Mom

May 13, 2024

March 31, 1974 a beautiful baby boy was placed in my arms and filled my life with immeasurable joy. You would be 50 years old today. I can't help wondering what great things you would have accomplished, would you have children of your own, what would you look like, so many things I wonder about. All I know is that I miss you every minute of every day. Celebrating the day you came into my life for 31years, 342 days. I love you Matthew.

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 30, 2024

It doesn't seem possible that 18 years have gone by. The heartache is still as severe as it was on that dark day in March. I hope you were looking down on all of us who gathered at the Watchung Police Department to dedicate the roadway into headquarters in your memory:
PTL. MATTHEW MELCHIONDA
MEMORIAL DRIVE
Chief Anderle did a supurb job eulogizing you to all present especially those new officers who never had the opportunity to know what a special man you were.
I miss you and love you always,
Mom xoxoxoxo

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 14, 2024

You are not forgotten.

Deputy Chief Al SELLINGER SCOTCH PLAINS
Scotch Plains Police Dept

March 8, 2024

Miss you brother - miss you a lot and think about you often

Randy Randazzo
Friend

February 29, 2024

Hey Matt, I was just scrolling around the internet and I thought of you so I decided to come and say Hello. Going to go visit my older brother now, he got the big C from 9-11. Okay Rest Easy.

Randy M. Stratton

January 25, 2024

MY HEART IS FOREVER BROKEN.

MOM

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

December 13, 2023

Matthew:
On this Mother's Day and every one before and after, I am thankful for the nearly 32 years of pure joy since the day you were first placed in my arms. You and David made my life worth living and complete. I miss you will all of my broken heart and will until the day I join you.

I will always love and miss you.

xoxoxoxoxo

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

May 13, 2023

Dear Mom,
I am still here. I am here for you when desperation creeps in between the spaces of our new realities. I am not gone. Every tear you shed, I collect it. I gather the rain, and to each drop I give life to the memories you and I have shared. I step into your dreams when you least expect it, and if you look hard enough, you can find me there.
Say my name. Remember me in the quiet moments. They will sustain you when the world intrudes and tries to drown out the sound of the conversations that you still have with me when you think no one else is listening. I am still here.
Mom, my soul is quiet now. It no longer yearns for the things my physical body needed to survive this particular battle. It took everything from me, and I know it took everything from you; you will never realize what that did to my spirit when I passed from that life into this one.
I know that you feel like you are losing your mind some days, but when you hear a heartbeat where none should exist, know that it is mine, keeping time with yours.
I am still here. I did exist. I left my mark upon this world, and I am at peace now.
Love, Matthew

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 6, 2023

You are missed my love ~~~~~~ more than ever xoxo

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

December 22, 2022

MY HEART IS FOREVER BROKEN.

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

June 22, 2022

Until I was a mother, I never truly understood the miracle of life.... Like how a hand could be so tiny and how a cheek could feel so soft And how a little head could smell so good and feel so warm against my face. Until I was a mother, I never truly realized that a tiny baby could fill my heart with so much joy and love. Matthew made me a mother 48 years ago today. We learned together so many things. I miss him.

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 31, 2022

Remembering my beloved Matthew .
Reflecting on your life and the gift I was given when you were born. Nearly 32 years was not enough time here on earth. Always smiling and happy, you brought so much joy to me. Sixteen years now and the ache in my heart persists. I miss you and hope it is true that we will be together again one day. I love you.
From the Essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson “Self Reliance”
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.”
March 8, 2022

Jane Melchionda
Matthew’s mom

March 10, 2022

16 years brother. You are never forgotten.

CAPT. Al SELLINGER SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE
Scotch Plains Police Dept

March 8, 2022

Christmas 2021. Another year without my beloved Matthew.

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

December 24, 2021

Mother's Day will never be the same ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Missing you Matthew xoxoxoxoxo

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

May 9, 2021

I can't believe it's been 15 yrs since Matt passed away. I'll always remember seeing Matt at the end of my shift in the morning at Pat's Deli getting breakfast..me at the end of my shift and him just starting his day. Genuine nice guy...he's missed by everyone that knew him.

Ptlm Charles Halsted
North Plainfield PD

April 12, 2021

Fifteen years and I am still waiting for you to come through my door. I love you Matthew.

Although I am happy and comforted that Matthew is remembered by so many, the thought of never seeing him again, his smile, his voice, his laugh, his wicked sense of humor, breaks my already broken heart

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 9, 2021

Thinking of you 15 years to the day. Rest in peace brother.

CAPT. Al SELLINGER SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE
Scotch Plains Police Dept

March 8, 2021

I'll never forget that day; and the days following. The memories like this do not fade. His memory does not fade any more than his hearty voice. Rest in peace brother.

Jeffrey Skibenes Sgt. Ret.
Watchung

January 6, 2021