Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of the members of P.B.A. Local # 356, we would like to offer our deepest condolences to the Family, Friends and Watchung Police Department.

Matthew's watch is complete. May his soul Rest In Peace and in the safe hands of Almighty God.

Fraternally,
Bob Hughes

NJ State PBA Delegate
NJ Gaming Enforcement P.B.A. Local # 356

June 13, 2006

Officer Melchionda rest in peace. Police officers are the angles on the roads and I thank you for all that you have done.My condolences for your family.

Victorella

June 7, 2006

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Melchionda, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading all the reflections left for Matthew, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Matthew's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Matthew's life was about so much more than the way he died. Matthew will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Melchionda, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been three years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

June 7, 2006

Dear Matt,
It's Memorial Day weekend and I want you to know how much I love you, miss you, and think of you every second of every day. March 8, 2006 was the absolute worst day of my life when you were taken. Somehow you have given me the strength to get through these last 2 1/2 months. I will continue to try to be as strong as I possibly can. I still cannot imagine how my life will be without you. I think about all of our plans that we had for our life together and it's just so unfair that our future together has been taken away. People tell me that time heals; but unfortunately it just makes it more real. I miss you Mattie; everything about you. Everyday when I wake up, I still think you are here. I am so blessed to have had you in my life and I will always cherish and remember every minute we were together. Thank you for giving me the happiest days of my life. I promise that I will continue to do everything possible to keep your memory alive and celebrate you every way I can. You will always be my hero and I love you with all of my heart. XOXO
Love your wife,
Lynn

Lynn Melchionda
Surviving Spouse of Officer Matthew Melchionda; EOW 3-8-06

May 27, 2006

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ofc. Melchionda and to the entire Watchung Police Dept. Thank you Officer Melchionda for your ultimate sacrafice, dedication and service to our country and your community. May God watch over your family and bless them.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District

May 27, 2006

Thank you for your service and dedication. May God bless you.

PO Joseph Przygocki
NJ State Park Police

May 25, 2006

Every morning while we raise the colors we recite your name and take a moment to honor your utmost dedication to the job. You will never be forgotten and if not for the other recruits, you will push me to be the best officer that I can be, although never to be able to surpass your amazing talent you brought to this profession. Rest In Peace.

Recruit Cevasco
Somerset County Police Academy

May 17, 2006

Dear Matt,
As my county laid to rest one of our officers today, I want you to know that you will never be forgotten. You all truly are heroes for paying the ultimate sacrifice. We all know the possibilities when we take our oath and place our badges on our chest, however, it does not make it any easier when one of our fellow officers fall. I went to school with your brother, and you and your wife just went on a cruise with my brother, making it a reality that it can happen to any of us. The thin blue line lives on forever...thank you for your service...my thoughts, prayers, and condolences to your wife, Dave, the rest of your family, and your fellow brothers and sisters back in Jersey. May you R.I.P. knowing your watch is ours now...

PFC Julie Smith
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, VA

May 13, 2006

My beloved Matthew:

My heart is forever broken and I will miss you and love you every moment of every day of my life.

I love you,

Mom

April 29, 2006

You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

April 28, 2006

Dear Uncle Matt,
We miss you very much. Thank you for taking us to the movies and playing with us on the beach. We think about you every day. We know that you are always going to watch over us and be our guardian angel. We want to be just like you when we grow up. Aunt Lynn is going to visit us this week and we will take good care of her for you.

Love, Carly and Michael Galanaugh (Niece and Nephew)

Carly and Michael
Niece and Nephew

April 23, 2006

My son is a 30 year old police officer. I worry about him for many reasons considering his job in law enforcement. Every time I yield to an officer reponding with lights and sirens I think that could be my son and yield completely for him or her. The job is dangerous for many reasons but a traffic fatally involving an officer just gave me another reason to keep my son even more in my prayers for his safety. My prayers also go out to this officer and his family who lost him to such a senseless tradegy by the many thoughtless drivers on our roads. Eileen Adamonis

Eileen Adamonis
mother of a police officer

April 19, 2006

Dear Lynn:

I think of you every day and hope that you are doing alright. I want to talk to you but I just don't know if it would be O.K. - I so vividly remember the first days and weeks after Jesse died.......it was so very difficult. Every situation is different and every person's needs are unique - I don't want to make anything harder for you. Please know that I think of you all the time and if there is anything I can do for you.....

God bless you, Lynn. I hope you are surrounded by the love of family and friends - they will hold you up when you can't stand on your own.

Carin E. Sollman, surviving spouse
Officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

April 16, 2006

Rest in peace Officer Melchionda.... your work is done here now... watch from above. God's speed to his family & co-workers & community that he leaves behind.

Patrolman
Macungie Boro PD (Lehigh County, PA)

April 15, 2006

Dear Melchionda Family,

I, too, took a course with Matt. I did not get to know him well, but he was always a cheerful and positive fellow - a nice guy to be around. I am sorry for your loss. I know he was doing what he loved.

Angela Weigle

Angela Weigle
Centenary College

April 4, 2006

Dear Matt,
We welcomed you into our family with open arms...knowing that you were a perfect fit. God blessed you with an incredible gift of making everyone feel special. You have made such a powerful impact in Lynnie's life and ours as well. You are sorely missed and will not go forgotten. I think and pray about you daily. Happy Birthday.
Love, Denise (sister-in-law)

Denise Bonczek

April 2, 2006

On behalf of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, we would like to express our deepest sympathy on the loss of PO Matthew Melchionda. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife,family and police family.

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation

April 1, 2006

REST IN PEACE... God bless you and your family.

Stevens Institute of Technology Police

March 31, 2006

REST IN PEACE... God bless you and your family.

Stevens Institute of Technology Police

March 31, 2006

Matt: It's your birthday, and we wanted to let you know we are thinking of you constantly and miss you so much. We hope you know the joy you brought to all of our lives, especially to Lynn. You are a brother-in-law by title, but to me, my siblings and our spouses, we consider you our brother. It was truly a blessing to have had you in our lives. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing you is a better person for it. We love you and will always remember you as an extraordinary person who celebrated life to its fullest every single day. God Bless you. Love, Laura, Pete and Peter Andrew

Laura Avalos
sister-in-law

March 31, 2006

Dear Melchionda's,
It is with such tremendous sadness that I write this. I just can not believe it.
My thoughts are with you always. I am so sorry for this loss.
Matt, you are forever in my heart.
Love,
Sara

Sara Hetrick

March 31, 2006

Matt,

Remembering you on your birthday and every day.

Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
Berkeleu Heights PD, New Jersey

March 31, 2006

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Columbus Ohio Division of Police

March 29, 2006

My heart goes out to Matt, his wife and his family. I did not know Matt well but I had one class with Matt at Centenary College and I remember him always walking into class with such a big smile. You could tell he was a nice guy to be around and he had such an awesome sense of humor. Rest in peace Matt. You are a true hero.

Jeff Heaney

March 28, 2006

God bless you and your family Matt. You are forever in our thoughts and prayers

Trooper
NJSP Perryville

March 28, 2006