Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, I miss you and think about you all the time with love and loss.

Jane Melchionda
Mother of Fallen Officer Matthew Melchionda

February 1, 2011

Merry Christmas, my friend. Heading back to the road again soon. I miss your company and humor to make things interesting! I also miss the occasional snowball that just happened to make it in my car window. Yeah- oops! Miss you.

Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
Friend

December 27, 2010

Dear Matthew: Another Christmas without you. This is number five. It seems like yesterday but then it seems like forever since that day that changed our lives forever. Thank you for being such a great son and giving me so many moments to remember. The sadness comes from knowing I will never hear your voice, you laugh, see your face or feel your kiss on my cheek,never see your hair turn gray ~ so many many things about you I am missing.
I love you, Matthew, with all my heart.

Mom

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas to you and all of your loved ones. Let them feel your presence while they tell those treasured Christmas' past stories about you at the dinner table. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 24, 2010

Matthew:

You are ALWAYS on my mind, in my thoughts, and FOREVER IN MY HEART. We will remember you as we gather tomorrow. Missing you and that big laugh of yours with such an ache in my heart. The silence is deafening. I too wish I could dial HEAVEN!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Matthew's Mom

November 24, 2010

"If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives." ~ Robert South

Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
BHPD

November 18, 2010

I miss you. I wish I could dial heaven. I am so thankful for the friendship we had.

Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
BHPD

November 4, 2010

Four and one-half years of tears.....

XOXOXO

Jane Melchionda
Mommy

September 8, 2010

Matthew:

There are those in this world who will never know the excruciating pain of such a great loss as the loss of a child. Most will go through life relying on the comforting thought that tomorrow will come just like any other day has come and gone not realizing that in the blink of an eye, one's life can be irreversibly altered never to be the same ever again. Not that I didn't for one second cherish and treasure every moment of your life or Dave's but now there is added importance on each smile, word, hug, and kiss.

I miss you and love you with all my heart.

Mom
XOXOXOXO

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

August 24, 2010

We never met, but I know you. I am a friend of your Mom, and it is impossible to know her without knowing her Matthew. So when I came upon this recently, I couldn't help but think of you:

Not: How did he die? But: How did he live?
Not: What did he gain? But: What did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not: What was his station? But: Had he a heart?
And: How did he play his God-given part?
Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not: What was his shrine? Nor: What was his creed?
But: Had he befriended those really in need?
Not: What did the sketch in the newspaper say?
But: How many were sorry when he passed away?
--"The Measure of Man" (Anonymous)

There are a lot of sorry people down here, Matt.

Andrew

August 5, 2010

I borrowed this from a dear friend who suffered a loss.

Remember Me
To the living, I am gone
To the sorrowful, I will never return
To the angry, I was cheated

But to the happy, I am at peace
And to the faithful, I have never left

I cannot speak, but I can listen
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard
So as you stand upon a shore,
Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me.

As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And its grand majesty, remember me.

As you look upon a flower and admire
Its simplicity, remember me.

Remember me in your heart, your thoughts,
And your memories. Of the times we loved,
The times we fought, the times we laughed.

For if you always think of me,
I will never have gone.

I do remember you, Matthew, and think of you always. I miss you so.

With all my love,
Mom
XOXOXOXOXO

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's mom

July 29, 2010

You and all of your family and friends are in my thoughts on this holiday which you helped protect and preserve. Hero’s like you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

July 4, 2010

Matthew:

I just know you are watching over those you love. Words cannot describe how much you are missed and loved.

With all my heart, Mom XOXOXO

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

June 17, 2010

My Dearest Matthew:

Dad and I came to be with you today. Dad did some edging and I did some plantings of geraniums and marigolds (if only the deer wouldn't eat them). It looked beautiful when we finished. Our hearts are heavy with the ache of missing you.

Forever in my heart, Mom

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

May 26, 2010

You and all of your loved ones are in my thoughts on this special day, Police Officer Memorial Day. Continue to watch over all of them as they carry that special love and memories of you in their broken hearts. You will never be forgotten. Someone sent me this quote and I'd like to leave it for your Mom as I know what she feels every day without you here:

"The sense of loss does not diminish with time. In truth, the expression 'time heals all wounds' is a myth. For parents, the loss of a child is permanent and mental scar tissue really does not grow over the grim memory. Rather, all tears are expended and a dull ache remains."

You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

May 15, 2010

Before I was a Mom

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known The Warmth, The Joy, The Love, The Heartache, The Wonderment or the Satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

In my thoughts always but especially on Mother's Day.

I Love You,

Mom

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

May 8, 2010

MY VISIT WITH YOU TODAY
Some blades of grass twisted together
and wound around at the ends
Through my tears I saw them
and wondered what message it sends
Not knowing who, I paused for a stay
and suddenly those twisted blades
Took my tears away

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

April 13, 2010

Matt,

Thinking of you and your family on Easter. Miss you so much!

Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
BHPD

April 3, 2010

Matthew:

36 years ago today, a miracle happened and you made me a mother. Until then, I never truly understood how a tiny baby could capture my heart and soul. Your tiny hands and feet, your fuzzy head touching my cheek. We learned together, you and I, how to navigate through life. Until that day, I never truly realized that a tiny baby could fill my heart with so much joy and love.

I love and miss you more than words can say.

XOXOXOXOXOXO
Mom

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 31, 2010

I wanted to stop in and thank your Mom for stopping at my son's page a leaving a reflection. I know all too well the heartache she feels every day and that the first thing she thinks of when she wakes in the morning is of you and the last thought of the day before she drifts off to sleep in of you. Continue to watch over her and all of your loved ones. I came across this the other day and would like to share it on your reflection page:

"If people we love are stolen from us, the way to
have them live on is to never stop loving them.
Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever."
Author Unknown

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

March 26, 2010

Memories I Will Always Treasure:

An unexpected hug,

Your little hand in mine,

The sweet sound of your voice.

I will love you always,

Mom
XXXXXXXOOOOOOOOO

Jane Melchionda
Matthew's Mom

March 12, 2010

Lynn,
I know you dont come to this site anymore because you have your very own special tribute to your Matt, but I am thinking of you today and how you are reliving every second of March 8, 2006. You were the first person to learn of Matt's accident and every second after that seemed like a movie, like something that you were watching as an outsider, like something that wasnt really happening. Unfortunately, I know....I am so very grateful for your friendship and I love you. We have an unfortunate bond that no one but us understands and I am so glad that I contacted you that day and we have turned that into an awesome friendship. You KNOW I am always here for you.

Matt,
You have no idea how much I wish I had known you...but I swear I feel like I had from all I hear from Lynn. I never will understand why God takes wonderful people, heros....maybe someday I will understand. Please know that Lynn is taken care of by her wonderful family and friends. You would be so proud of her! She truly is an amazing person and you both were so lucky to have found each other! Please continue to watch over her and stick with Bert up there! You two sounded so much alike and that always makes me smile! Rest in peace Matt....you are never ever forgotten!

Denise Zimmerman
Surviving Spouse of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman

March 9, 2010

Another year has passed but you are not forgotten! Many more people talk about you, more than anyone will ever know. Prayers for your family at this sad time of year.

Anonymous

March 9, 2010

Always remembered & honored 4 his service & his ultimate sacrifice.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister & granddau. of LEOs

March 9, 2010

Matt:

It's hard to believe that four years have passed, yet not a single day goes by without a thought of you and how you enriched our lives. We can try in vain to figure out why you were taken so soon, but it does us no good at all. It's more productive to think of what you brought to each life you touched. And you brought a LOT. You were wise beyond your years, and had a true knack for connecting with people. You will never be forgotten by our family, and we pray that you continue to watch from above. We miss you dearly. PS: Little Peter is almost 5, and he often talks about his hero, Uncle Matty. xoxo

Laura Avalos
sister in law

March 8, 2010