Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

With the deepest sympathy to the Watchung Police Dept. and most importantly to Matt's Wife and family, I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences. This numbing tragedy once again shows that nothing we do is "routine". We've all been involved in the same situation dozens if not hundreds of times and this horrible incident unfortunatly reiterates how close to that line of life and death that each and every one of us walk by simply "going to work" each day.

Its always more sombering when something like this hits so close to home. To Matt's wife and brother I again send my deepest condolences to you and your family. Our prayers are with you.

Cop
Cranford PD

March 9, 2006

Words can not say enough but, we mourn another hero that has been taken from us. If it was by accident or crimes against an officer it is a great loss. We will be praying for your family during these trying times. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Missionary/Evangelist Joe Taylor Cop Evangelist Ministries www.copsevangelist.com

Joe Taylor (Former FL LEO)

March 9, 2006

G-d bless you and your family. Rest in peace.

Officer Faith Gollob
Chesapeake Police Department

March 9, 2006

My most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Melchiondia. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

To his wife and family - I share your agony. I lost my husband in the line of duty almost one year ago and am left to raise two young children on my own. This is a very painful journey that none of us expected to take - please know that you do not walk this path alone but with many others who have endured similar losses. Many people are thinking of and praying for you during this most difficult time.

My husband's best friend, Art Holzheimer, also works for the Watchung Police Department and was friends with your beloved Matt. My heart aches for him as well, that he has to go through this loss again. I don't know how I would have made it through losing my husband without the support of friends like Artie and his wife, Tracy. I pray that you also find yourself surrounded by people who love and care for you; they will hold you up when you can't stand on your own.

I wish I had magical words of comfort for you, but I really don't. All I can say is just try to get through each day just one at a time.....just do your best. Matt will be your guardian angel now - he will wrap his wings around you, will guide and protect you as you continue on without him. He is walking Heaven's streets of gold and is forever safe in the arms of the angels.

Thank you, Officer Melchiondia, for your service and ultimate sacrifice. May God bless you and may you rest in eternal peace, Blue Angel.

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

March 9, 2006

God bless Ofc. Melchiondia, his family, friends, and co-workers.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

March 9, 2006

Having lost my father Deputy Ronald Yeager to an accident 7-10-2000 I can truly relate to the devastation created by this unfortunate catastrophic event. Watchung PD was there for my family and I and in turn I will be there for theirs. On behalf of my family, Department, and the brotherhood our sincerest condolences. "May Matt walk in the light, and stand guard at the gates of Heaven." " The world lost one great cop but Heaven got a true Angel."

Sgt Russell J. Yeager
Fanwood Police Department

March 9, 2006

Officer Melchiondia chose to lay down his life rather than swerve from the path of duty. Godspeed, rest in peace, you will be sadly missed.

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

March 9, 2006

Thank you, Officer Melchiondia, for your service to the citizens of Watchung, New Jersey, and the United States. Your dedication and efforts are appreciated and will not be forgotten. Your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

Janice Brown
Conway, Arkansas
civilian

Janice Brown

March 9, 2006

To the family, friends and sibling officers of Officer Melchiondia, may you be blessed with God's strength in your time of sorrow. Rest in peace, brother.

Police Officer Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse, NY Police Department

March 9, 2006

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

Rest in Peace Brother, we have the watch from here.

Patrolman
Hampton Police Division

March 9, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Melchiondia and the officers of the Watchung Police Department. He made the ultimate sacrifice while honorably protecting our Country and he will never be forgotten.

Cpl. J.J. Picardi, Galloway, NJ PD
Galloway Township Police, NJ

March 9, 2006

Rest in peace and God Bless!!

Patrol Officer Chris J. Rohner
Licking Memorial Hospital Police Dept. Newark, OH

March 9, 2006

The tragic death of a young guy who only wanted to protect and serve. Though you'll forever be with your wife and family in their hearts and minds, the Watchung Police Department has lost a vital asset and no doubt, fine human being.

My heart goes out to all who feel this loss directly and to the rest of us who feel it indirectly.

God Bless Officer Melchiondia and may you Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 9, 2006

MATTHEW....MY WIFE AND I SEND OUR DEEPEST THOUGHTS, AND PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND TO ALL THE OFFICERS AT THE WATCHUNG POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOSS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AND KEEP YOU ALL SAFE.

OFFICER MICHAEL ROSE (RETIRED)
SAN LEANDRO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

March 9, 2006

On behalf of the DC Metropolitan Police, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the members of the Watchung Police Dept. as well as the officers family. When one of us falls, we all stumble.

Police Officer
Metropolitan Police Washington D.C.

March 9, 2006

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Association are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Matthew Melchiondia.

Deputy
Onondaga County (NY) Sheriff's Office

March 9, 2006

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

March 9, 2006

Thank you for your dedication and service, Officer Melchiondia.
May the Lord comfort your family & friends at this very difficult time.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

Wife of a Deputy
SBSD, California

March 9, 2006

PO Melchiondia please know that we will keep your family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

Rest easy hero, we have the watch from here.

Friends of Larry R Cox EOW 4/21/05
Chillicothe Ohio Police Department

March 9, 2006

My thoughts and prayers go out to Matts Family and his family at the Watchung P.D. Matt would always make sure to say hello to me when I worked the afternnon shift. He will be greatly missed by all.

Lieutenant John H. Quinn Jr
Somerset County Sheriff's Office/ Corrections Division

March 9, 2006

ON BEHALF OF THE CHICAGO POLICE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF P.O. MELCHIONDIA, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND ALL WHO KNEW YOU.

CHICAGO POLICE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

March 9, 2006

Officer Melchiondia thank you for your service to your fellowman. Rest in peace my brother in blue. May God bless you and your family.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

March 9, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother

Officer Eric Newbury
California Highway Patrol

March 9, 2006

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

March 9, 2006

Officer Melchiondia..you - your family friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU ARE GONE..BUT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

MI State Police recruit
michigan

March 9, 2006