Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Williams although I never got a chance to meet you, even only being a county away, I realize by reading and hearing from your friends that you were a role model for any officer/deputy. Most importantly I've heard you are a devoted and loving father, husband, and that you loved the Lord. Now I'm confident that I will meet you in person one day.

I did have the opportunity to say goodbye on that final day in Lakeland. I'll say that it was unforgetable. The amount of respect and thankfullness of the citizens of Lakeland, standing alongside the road in the rain and applauding and thanking us as we rode by in our cruisers, touched my heart.

I'll still remember and pray for your family.

Patrol Officer
St. Petersburg Police Department

November 17, 2006

God bless you, and may he look over your family.You and diogo will not be forgotten.

Sgt. B. Walls and K-9 Tic Tac
Cook County S.O. GA

November 17, 2006

May Matt and Diogi rest in peace and god bless your dept. and Matt's family.

Shannon Heath, Paramedic
Mcminn county ems

November 15, 2006

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on his tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noticed that first was the date of birth
And read the following date with tears
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the “dash” between those years

For the dash represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved him
Know what that little line is worth

It matters not how much we own
The house, the cars, the cash
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spent our” dash”

So think about this long and hard
Are there things you’d like to change
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be arrange

If we could just slow down enough
And consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
Just how other people feel

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we never loved before

Lets treat each other with respect
And always wear a smile
Remembering that this special
“Dash” will only last a little while

And when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your “dash”?

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Special Agent
Florida AB&T

November 13, 2006

Although I did not have the honor of knowing you, I must say thank you (which is not enough). You have kept my family (Lakeland residents) safe, Watching out for them and the other polk county residents. You and your family have made the ultimate sacrifice. May you become our guardian angel, walking along side your brother and sister LEO's as they face danger. God Bless you and the William's family. Thank you.

Officer Muvdi,
FLPD

November 12, 2006

God bless you, Matt and DiOGi. There is not a day goes by that we do not think of you and your family and friends. You were two bright lights in the lives of many, and are missed more than words can ever say.

Linda and Ray Johnson
Citizens and Friend

November 10, 2006

I never had the chance to meet you Matt;
I never had the chance to pet you Diogi;
And still...
I miss you!
I remember you!

EVERY SINGLE DAY

Michigan

November 10, 2006

Matt and DioGi,there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you two and the sacrifice you made on our behalf.you probably already know that i stop every week just to say hi and thank you.I drive past every day on the way to work and bow my head and say a prayer.I have known alot of police officers,sheriffs and state troopers both here and in New York,and the couple of times we met left quite an impression both you and Diogi are the best and i consider you to be a friend,even my dog liked and respected you both and thats not in his nature,but you put him at ease to the point that he and Diogi played and sat together.
I for one will never forget you both,you where laid to rest on my birthday and i will make it a point to stop every year on that day.To Nancy and the kids Matt and Diogi are truely special and I pray that the pain of loosing them eases.You have two angels looking over you and protecting you.God Bless you for your unselfishness for letting Matt do what he Loved.Thank you to all LEO for all they do.Matt and Diogi Godspeed Till we meet again,I'LL bring the puppy treats.

Bob Smith
Lakeland Resident

November 6, 2006

Matt and DioGi,there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you two and the sacrifice you made on our behalf.you probably already know that i stop every week just to say hi and thank you.I drive past every day on the way to work and bow my head and say a prayer.I have known alot of police officers,sheriffs and state troopers both here and in New York,and the couple of times we met left quite an impression both you and Diogi are the best and i consider you to be a friend,even my dog liked and respected you both and thats not in his nature,but you put him at ease to the point that he and Diogi played and sat together.
I for one will never forget you both,you where laid to rest on my birthday and i will make it a point to stop every year on that day.To Nancy and the kids Matt and Diogi are truely special and I pray that the pain of loosing them eases.You have two angels looking over you and protecting you.God Bless you for your unselfishness for letting Matt do what he Loved.Thank you to all LEO for all they do.Matt and Diogi Godspeed Till we meet again,I'LL bring the puppy treats.

Bob Smith
Lakeland Resident

November 6, 2006

Matt and DioGi,there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you two and the sacrifice you made on our behalf.you probably already know that i stop every week just to say hi and thank you.I drive past every day on the way to work and bow my head and say a prayer.I have known alot of police officers,sheriffs and state troopers both here and in New York,and the couple of times we met left quite an impression both you and Diogi are the best and i consider you to be a friend,even my dog liked and respected you both and thats not in his nature,but you put him at ease to the point that he and Diogi played and sat together.
I for one will never forget you both,you where laid to rest on my birthday and i will make it a point to stop every year on that day.To Nancy and the kids Matt and Diogi are truely special and I pray that the pain of loosing them eases.You have two angels looking over you and protecting you.God Bless you for your unselfishness for letting Matt do what he Loved.Thank you to all LEO for all they do.Matt and Diogi Godspeed Till we meet again,I'LL bring the puppy treats.

Bob Smith
Lakeland Resident

November 6, 2006

My prayers and thoughts are with you and Diogi, you were a good friend and pal, in law enforcement and in high school. You gave your life doing something you loved and enjoyed. You will be truely missed and not forgotting. For the rest of the Law Enforcement, family please be careful and everyone COME HOME SAFE.

OFC. Richard LeFan
Mulberry P.D.

November 6, 2006

Deputy Williams “Matt”, I never had a chance to meet you, but from what I’ve read about you, I sure missed out on meeting a wonderful person, and great Cop. I’m an Officer in Pa, and trying to persuade my Department to start a K9 Unit. If it happens, I can only hope to be the K9 Team that you and Diogi are. Rest in piece my brother, may God bless you, your family and the members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Until we meet, watch over us as we carry on the good fight.

Ptlm. Mark Marchesi #2528
Parkside Police Dept. (Delaware County, PA)

November 6, 2006

Still thinking about you every single day. I pinned a photo of you and DiOGi up in my car as a constant reminder of the sacrifice that you two made, and two heroes I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet. May your family receive some comfort knowing how many lives you touched. Rest in peace brothers (you too DiOGi) in blue.

K9 officer
Iowa

November 2, 2006

To the Family of Deputy Williams & Diogi:

I met Deputy Williams one time during a Family Day Event that I was working, at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland. I think Rocky was the K-9 that he had with him at that time. He was a great person to be around and he really interacted with the kids and families a lot. That is a memory that I will have a long time.

Staff here at the Polk Museum of Art would like to send our condolences and to say "Thank You" for letting us get to know a little about Deputy Williams and to be a part of what he did for so many communities. He will be missed!!

Security Director/James Spivey
Polk Museum of Art

November 2, 2006

I CAN NOT BEGIN TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT. I ALWAYS KNEW MATT WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON, HUSBAND, DAD, AND THE BEST K9 DEPUTY AROUND, I JUST DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY OTHERS KNEW THE SAME. OUR (THE KIDS AND I) WORLD HAS BEEN RIPPED APART BY THE LOSS OF MATT. HE WAS OUR LIFE, HE WAS THE LINK THAT MADE OUR CIRCLE COMPLETE... HE WAS AND IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE WHAT MAKES OUR FAMILY COMPLETE. HE IS MY SOUL MATE, MY BEST FREIND, MY LOVING HUSBAND, AND THE BEST DAD ANY CHILD COULD EVER ASK FOR. I INTEND TO WRITE MORE LATER, WHEN I CAN THINK MORE CLEARLY, BUT FOR NOW I WANTED ALL HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY TO KNOW HOW GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL I AM FOR THE SUPPORT THAT MY KIDS AND I HAVE RECIEVED FROM THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT, THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT THROURHOUT OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN. I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE HONORED TO BE MATTS WIFE. HE IS ONE OF A KIND. THE SHERIFFS DEPT AS WELL AS MY FAMILY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO FILL HIS SHOES. IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND. HIS WIFE FOREVER, NANCY!

NANCY WILLIAMS
WIFE

November 1, 2006

I CAN NOT BEGIN TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT. I ALWAYS KNEW MATT WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON, HUSBAND, DAD, AND THE BEST K9 DEPUTY AROUND, I JUST DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY OTHERS KNEW THE SAME. OUR (THE KIDS AND I) WORLD HAS BEEN RIPPED APART BY THE LOSS OF MATT. HE WAS OUR LIFE, HE WAS THE LINK THAT MADE OUR CIRCLE COMPLETE... HE WAS AND IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE WHAT MAKES OUR FAMILY COMPLETE. HE IS MY SOUL MATE, MY BEST FREIND, MY LOVING HUSBAND, AND THE BEST DAD ANY CHILD COULD EVER ASK FOR. I INTEND TO WRITE MORE LATER, WHEN I CAN THINK MORE CLEARLY, BUT FOR NOW I WANTED ALL HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY TO KNOW HOW GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL I AM FOR THE SUPPORT THAT MY KIDS AND I HAVE RECIEVED FROM THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT, THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT THROURHOUT OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN. I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE HONORED TO BE MATTS WIFE. HE IS ONE OF A KIND. THE SHERIFFS DEPT AS WELL AS MY FAMILY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO FILL HIS SHOES. IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND. HIS WIFE FOREVER, NANCY!

NANCY WILLIAMS
WIFE

November 1, 2006

I CAN NOT BEGIN TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT. I ALWAYS KNEW MATT WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON, HUSBAND, DAD, AND THE BEST K9 DEPUTY AROUND, I JUST DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY OTHERS KNEW THE SAME. OUR (THE KIDS AND I) WORLD HAS BEEN RIPPED APART BY THE LOSS OF MATT. HE WAS OUR LIFE, HE WAS THE LINK THAT MADE OUR CIRCLE COMPLETE... HE WAS AND IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE WHAT MAKES OUR FAMILY COMPLETE. HE IS MY SOUL MATE, MY BEST FREIND, MY LOVING HUSBAND, AND THE BEST DAD ANY CHILD COULD EVER ASK FOR. I INTEND TO WRITE MORE LATER, WHEN I CAN THINK MORE CLEARLY, BUT FOR NOW I WANTED ALL HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY TO KNOW HOW GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL I AM FOR THE SUPPORT THAT MY KIDS AND I HAVE RECIEVED FROM THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT, THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT THROURHOUT OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN. I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE HONORED TO BE MATTS WIFE. HE IS ONE OF A KIND. THE SHERIFFS DEPT AS WELL AS MY FAMILY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIND SOMEONE TO FILL HIS SHOES. IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND. HIS WIFE FOREVER, NANCY!

NANCY WILLIAMS
WIFE

November 1, 2006

Rest in peace my brother. May God bless your family and keep them safe.


U/116
Bowling Green Police Department (KY)

Major L. Clark Arnold
Bowling Green Police Department (KY)

November 1, 2006

Matt, You are truly my Mentor and "Obiwan" when it comes to the K9 training and tactics. Matt, You are truly My FRIEND and BROTHER, when it comes to Life. I wish I could have been by your side that day in the woods. I would have done it in a second my brother. I will always take with me through my life, the teachings and training you have given me with K9 Ares and K9 Brix. Through me, people will see what you taught me, in the way that I handle K9 Brix, and the way I carry myself as a Handler. YOU will live on through me as long as I hold the lead. Matt you will never be forgotten by me, as you are a part of my Heart and Soul. I will never forget the laughter and jokes we shared, and all of the crazy stuff we did. If, throughout my K9 career, I can became half as great as you were, then I will have accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed. Diogi, You truly are a "wild child" and I will never forget the training days and excitement you showed at the hands of Matt. I thank you Diogi for standing by your Friend and Handler in his times of need. I pray for your wife Nancy and Kids Christopher, Amanda and Jimmy. Matt I think about you daily and the things you shared with me while you were here. I took all of your teachings to heart, and I will make you proud of the Handler I will become. Everything I am today, is because of YOU. Thanks again Matt for giving me my dream of handling a K9. Matt you are MY HERO!!! Rest in peace my brother...Until we meet again La Familia Intocable

D/S Bobby Boehmler & K9 Brix
Polk County Sheriff's Office

October 30, 2006

It is so hard to believe that you have been gone for a month already. Keep watch over our family and know we all love you deeply. You will always be in our thoughts. To those of you who didn't know him you missed out on a great man.

Misty Raney
Niece

October 27, 2006

To the family and friends of Deputy Matthew William and to his fellow officers of the Polk County Shefiff's Office:

I was so saddened to learn of the tragic death of this young dedicated officer and his K-9 partner. On behalf of our entire family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you sustained when Matt and his faithful companion and partner were brutally murdered in the line of duty.

May you be comforted and supported by the warm embrace of your law enforcement family, and by other police survivors who share your painful journey. I am also praying for the physical and emotional healing of Officer Doug Spiers.

My heart goes out to this young family. In reading the many poignant reflections about Matt, it is obvious that he profoundly touched the lives of many people and that he was an amazing husband, father, family member, friend, mentor and deputy. That is a wonderful legacy to leave to all those who cared for him.

I am also thankful that the members of the SWAT team, who apprehended and killed in self defense the despicable criminal who murdered two officers and attempted to murder Deputy Spiers, were able to return to their families safe and unharmed. I know that all in Polk County who pinned their badge on after the events of September 28th never had their badge shine brighter for they truly know and understand the noble sacrifices of their brave band of brothers.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Officer Williams and his K-9 gave to his community and the citizens of Florida, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 28, 2006.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Pittsburg PD Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

October 27, 2006

Deputy Matt Williams, Matt, or as i called him dad will always be in my heart. He was my prince and shining armer always there to resue me. Thank you to everyone who comes to read about my dad and I apologize to anyone who didnt have the grace of god to be able to meet him and know what kind of hero he was and still is to me.

amanda
daughter

October 27, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

Ptl. J. Barsness / K-9 Handler
Hampton PD, VA

October 22, 2006

Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten.

J. BRANCH
LAKELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

October 20, 2006

Deputy Williams,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and the Polk County Sheriff's Office. May you rest in peace.

Yarmouth, MA Police Department
K-9 Unit

October 20, 2006