Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"A MAN REMEMBERED NEVER DIES"

Polk County will never be the same.We Miss you guys.

August 25, 2007

thnak you so much for everyting that you have done to make the world a better palce. You are in my haert at all time b/c i understand the dangers that you faced. Thank you again. and I know that you are watchign over all you bothers and sisters

August 18, 2007

thnak you so much for everyting that you have done to make the world a better palce. You are in my haert at all time b/c i understand the dangers that you faced. Thank you again. and I know that you are watchign over all you bothers and sisters

August 18, 2007

My department is hosting a softball tournament this weekend (Wouters/Sawyers Memorial)here in Michigan. Your name was read in roll call during the opening ceremonies...I just wanted your friends and family to know.

Kathy G
Emergency Dispatcher

Friend of Mark Sawyers EOW 6-5-04
Sterling Heights PD, Michigan

August 12, 2007

Your spirit lives on....

"A MAN REMEMBERED NEVER DIES"

Lakeland Fl.

August 10, 2007

Matt I cant believe it has been almost a year since you and diogi were taken from us. another deputy was killed today this one is a sgt from broward county, I'm sure you have met him by now , to help patrol heaven with you and diogi. seeing this tragedy just reminded me of the day you guys were taken. I think of Nancy and the kids often and hope they are doing well. We all still miss you terribly and cant believe you are not here anymore.

ann greco dispatcher
polk county sheriff's office

August 10, 2007

Although we never met, your death affected me deeply. I cried when I read that a "Diogi Park" was named in your and Diogi's memory. I will never forget you DS Williams. Nor will I forget your family and friends. I hope that they are somehow coping, finding some sort of strength from the thoughts and prayers being sent from across the miles.

Kathy G

Dispatcher, Sterling Heights PD Michigan

August 7, 2007

I didn't know you but I saw your tribute page on myspace. I just want to say may God bless you and may he ease the pain of your loved ones. Please pat Diogi for me.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office (Indiana)

August 1, 2007

Matt,It's been almost 10 months since you where taken form us,and you are missed as much or more now.You have left a Legacy that will live on for a very long time.You are and always will be remembered,Diogi this is for you buddy,you haven't been forgotten either,Polk County has it's first dog park,and yes it's named for you,Diogi Park,has a nice ring to it don't you think.I'm sure you are looking down on all of us here in polk county with a smile.Well thats all for now till we meet again.Your friend Bob

Bob Smith
Lakeland

July 22, 2007

You are missed greatly here. Both on the shifts, and on Honor Guard. Until we meet again.

D/S
Polk County S.O.

July 13, 2007

Hey Matt, just wanted to say hello and to say that I was thinking of you and your family. Have a great day in Glory, my friend! We'll all see you soon enough ...

D/S Barry Hill #1816
POLK County Sheriff's Office

July 9, 2007

Another hero down.
Far too young;
Far too soon.
Thinking not of himself,
The untimate sacrifice is made.
The pain and the grief too real,
Remembered with pride, remembered with love.
Our prayers go up for family, friends and commrades.

Civilian - Grandma Lynne in Australia
No agency, no relationship

July 8, 2007

Still In Our Thoughts And prayers Polk County Can Use More Officers Like You


Deputy Sheriff Matthew Williams
End of Watch: September 28, 2006
12 years
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Polk County, Florida

Survivors: Deputy Sheriff Matthew Williams leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and two sons.

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Williams and his K-9 partner, Diogi, were both shot to death while pursuing a suspect on foot.
Dogs were Deputy Sheriff Williams' true passion -- and his main duties at his agency were within the K-9 unit. He loved educating people about police dogs, and had just started his own dog obedience and training business before he died

Joe
Friend

July 1, 2007

I miss u 2 alot.

Glenn
Explorers / friend

June 17, 2007

Matt--Today I logged onto the Ledger website and saw an article from Sheriff Judd about your killer and coward Angelo Freeland..I guess there has been numerous arrests of persons associated with this coward and there is further investigation revealing that he was a "hitman" in the organized drug crime cartel that he was associated with..hmmmm...this new information just re-affirms what I, and so many other people know about you my brother, that YOU are a true hero, for taking a coward and killer and "terrorist" off this earth. You might not of known what you were chasing that day, as so many of us don't when we chase after these idiots, but I truly believe Matt that even if you would have known who he was, YOU would have still lived up to what so many of us always knew about you...YOU are a Special Person and Leader...and I will continue to emulate You and Remember what YOU taught me with all my Partners...I also think that if that Coward angelo freeland would have known what was hunting him, HE would have given up long before his decision to prove to the world and his family what kind of COWARD he truly was. You are NOT forgotten my FRIEND, TEACHER, BROTHER IN L.E. Rest in Peace, until we meet again, then the Training will begin again ;)

D/S Bobby Boehmler & K9 Falco
Polk County S.O. K9 Unit/Student of Matt/Friend and Brother in L.E.

June 14, 2007

Dear Matt, I am living in Wyoming now but still heard the news. You will be missed my friend. And to all my "buds" at pcso havent forgotten you guys. Pat Diogi for me and keep smiling for all of us. Lord bless you and your family always.

Melissa J Palmer
friend from circle k

June 3, 2007

We all still remember....

Chief Corey Sloan
Cameron, MO PD

June 2, 2007

I'd be lying if I said that the events of September 28, 2006 didn't change my view of my husband. I received a phone call from him 8 hours into his shift telling me that he was running "lights & sirens" to assist in the man-hunt for D/S Williams' killer. I was terrified, and didn't sleep until he came home, against his will, 15 hours later. He said he was only going to sleep for a few hours and then head back up to the north side of town so that he could help hold the perimeter. By the time he woke up those few hours later, it was over. And we both broke down and sobbed.

Not a day goes by that I don't remember the funeral. Not a day goes by that I don't remember our fallen heroes. And every single day that my husband leaves for work I make sure I tell him to be "very, very careful" and tell him that I love him very much. This website, unfortunately, just shows us that we never know what the day will bring. There is no such thing as a "routine traffic stop" or a "normal" day at work for someone in law enforcement.

Someone wise once said that LEO's are a rare breed. If you've done wrong, they can throw you to the ground and cuff you today, but tomorrow if you needed them they would be there to protect you in a heart beat without even blinking an eye. They would even risk their own life to do so.

Matt and Diogi are heroes, and should be remembered as such. They've given the ultimate sacrifice so that their brethren can walk the streets maybe just a little bit safer. I salute them, and ALL law enforcement officers, for doing what so few of us would be willing to do.

Wife of LEO
Wife of MPD Officer

May 25, 2007

I speak for many when I say we all still think of you every single day. I have spoken to some and we look foward to the day when we can laugh about our good memories and stories we shared with you without feeling the utter loss of you. Until that time, while our sorrow at your leaving is still too great, we will continue lean on each other and never forget.

D/S Roxanne O'Rourke 3029
PCSO

May 25, 2007

Don't Grieve for me
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
to laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void.
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ahh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me now. He set me free.

PCSO
Polk County Sheriff's Office Bartow FL

May 24, 2007

I saw the tributes and wanted to pay my respects. Rest in peace, brother. Watch over those of us left behind.

P/O Joseph Leighthardt
Philadelphia Police Department

May 22, 2007

Dear family & friends of Deputy Williams,

I did not know Matt, but all of you will be added to my list of prayers. I pray that things get better for you all! Have faith and it will! He seemed like a very loving person who loved his family, friends and his job! I know he will be deeply missed. May your journey, until you meet him again, be safe and happy. Remember he is in a great place with the Lord now. And remember, you are ALL in my prayers daily.

K. Nelson
Plaquemine Police, Louisiana

May 21, 2007

Matt,
I met you once when I did a ride-a-long a couple of years ago. I wish I'd had the opportunity to work with you on the street. I know so many officer's and deputies who have spoken so highly of you.
You made the ultimate sacrafice for the cause that so many of us so strongly believe in, and you are a true hero. You are now, and always will be here on the streets in the hearts of all your brothers in blue or in your case green. You'll never be forgotten.

Winter Haven PD

May 10, 2007

MATT MISSING YOU TODAY AND EVERY DAY
YOUR FAMILY IS ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS
LOVE ALWAYS

May 4, 2007

Hello Matt,thinking of you and Diogi today,your spirit lives on.

Lakeland

May 2, 2007