Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is a red that we again have to add to the over 17,000 names of LEO's lost in the line of duty. Matt, your actions that fateful day are a credit to your dedication to the citizens of Polk County and to the Sate of Florida. Your display of bravery is immeasurable, and makes you a hero in every sense of the word. May God be with your family through this difficult time and may you and your partner Diogi rest in peace. Thank you for your service and for the sacrifice that you so dearly paid, you will not be forgotten.

Deputy Gary Raulerson
Pasco Sheriff's Office / Police Unity Tour

September 30, 2006

Sir,

You will not be forgotten. I promise. God bless you and your family. Your sacrifice was the greatest act of courage and heroism any person could ever hope to give. Whe others would have run or given up, you faced the enemy and gave your life. You are a hero. God bless.

Andrew Schuck
Cadet/NLVPD

September 30, 2006

Thank you both for your unselfish courage and dedication to protect your community. We have lost 2 heros in this tragedy. God bless you, your partner and family for the sacrifice you all have made. We all know you will both continue to patrol and protect us from above.

K-9 Officer Streetman and K-9 Tugg
Chesapeake Police Dept, Virginia

September 30, 2006

Matt, Diogi & family,

It seems that God needed yet another Angel to guard the gates of heaven. Matt I know that Brian had his wings spread extra wide to welcome you & Diogi. He also was a Deputy (K-9) in Ocala, Florida that was shot & killed on duty. Your passing is like reliving that nightmare of 2 years ago.
Only time will help with the pain & grief. It will be one step forward & one step back. May your family be comforted by the reflections on this site. Matt you are a true Hero! Give Brian a hug for me.

Nancy Litz (Mother)
Deputy Brian Litz EOW 2-7-04

Nancy Litz

September 30, 2006

As a fellow K-9 handler I was saddened to hear the news about Dep. Williams and his K-9 partner Diogi. As a K-9 handler I know the risk that we take putting our beloved K-9 partners at "point". However we do it knowing that is what the K-9's live for..they love to go to work and find the "bad guy". Well Diogi you found the bad guy (Good Boy!) now you and your handler can relax and have eternity to play ball. May you both rest in peace.

Cpl. Melissa Krot, K-9 Bruno
Dearborn Michigan PD K-9 Unit

September 30, 2006

Deputy Williams & K-9 Diogi,

Please watch over us as you walk a beat on Heaven's streets. We are praying for you and your family.

Police officers don't die heroes-they live every day as one.

SSgt Adam Keith & K-9 Balu
U.S. Air Force Academy Police K-9 Unit

September 29, 2006

Matt and Diogi, no words can express the emptiness and pain felt these past few days. My thoughts and prayers go out to your beloved family, friends and Co-workers at Polk County Sheriff's Office. You both were always there for any of your brothers in green, blue or brown. You are both true hero's, who gave there all. I know you were in Heaven looking down on all your brothers and sisters as their guardian angel during our pursuit of justice. Now walk those streets of heaven with Diogi. God Speed Brother, until we are reunited in heaven. God Bless You.

Ofc W F Schrader
Lakeland Police Department

September 29, 2006

To my brother in blue who has paid the ultimate price while protecting others, you will never be forgotten. My heart and prayers go out to your family and co-workers. People don’t understand why we put on the uniform and do what we do. We know it’s not for the money, but rather for the excitement and because we really do believe we can make a difference. You are a true hero and as we all know, heroes live forever!

Public safety Officer S. P. Rooney
Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety

September 29, 2006

Matt-

May you now sit at the right hand of our Father, and Diogi rest at his feet....

God speed-

Brother in Blue
Michigan

September 29, 2006

This is very hard for me today to say good bye to another K-9 officer and his friend Dioji as it has been 13 months and 17 days since the loss of one of my own K-9 officers and his friend and companion Caesar. I know in my heart that you will meet with them with God in heaven and will always be with us through your courage and great dedication to Law Enforcement. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Officer Williams and all his friends with Polk County Sheriffs Office. Thoughts are also with the dispatchers on that dreadful day and from experience, the loss is tremendous but will become easier knowing that they will always be in your heart, prayers, and sitting next to you when you are dispatching. Matt will always be looking over all his friends and fellow deputies wherever they are and keep them from harms way. To all that knew Matt please accept my deepest and heartfelt loss of one of our own and remember that he is in God's hands now and will always be waiting for us in heaven when it is our turn to walk through heavens gate. The sadness I feel is almost unbearable, but, through prayer and Jesus Christ I am able to express what I feel. God be with you all and NEVER forget he died doing what he loved the most and we will see you again!!!!!

Cathy McNa
Regional Communications Center

September 29, 2006

God Speed to the Williams family

I can't imagine the loss and pain you are feeling.

Matt and Diogi: thank you for your service, it has been appreicated, and the reflections in this board, are a testiment to your skills, courage and self.

God Speed and Bless

Wife
FCPD

September 29, 2006

Deputy Williams and Diogi, my you both rest in peace. My God watch out over family, friends, and the Polk County Sheriff's office. Once again two of Florida's finest have displayed the the true meaning of bravery. Deputy Williams and Diogi are gone, but they will never be forgotten.

Dispatcher Tim Stembridge
Tallahassee Community College Police

September 29, 2006

To the family of Deputy Sheriff Vernoon Matthew Williams, He was a hero. May you remember that. No one should have to go throught this pain. I did not know him, but I watch this page ever since it hit home in PA a few years back. This is a great web site. May he watch over you and guide you throught the rest of your way here on earth. I wonder some times what this world is coming to??? It doesn't look good for us good ones that are left here on earth. Rest in Peace Deputy, we will take it from here. Thanks for everything you did for your community, and family.

a officer down page watcher

September 29, 2006

Deputy Williams,
I worked there as a Deputy while you were K-9 and all I ever heard about you was that you were awsome! Everyone loved you as the person that you were and I had nothing but true respect for you. God bless you and I know that you and "Diogi" are together and on patrol in the Golden Sreets of Heaven. I want for you to know that you will never be forgotten by myself, or from the Polk County Sheriff's Office. God bless you and your partner.

OFC. ADAM R.HOBBS
DANDRIDGE TN. POLICE DEPT.

September 29, 2006

In God WE Trust, With Paws We Bust. My most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Williams. Your untimely departure leaves another unwanted hole in the hearts of law enforcement everywhere.

Cpl. C. Boswell
K-9 Officer
Commmerce Police Department, Georgia

Cpl. C. Boswell
Commerce Police Dept. , Ga.

September 29, 2006

To the family and friends of Deputy Williams,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. You will not be forgotten !!

Officer K. Larson & K-9 "Brasso"
Florence PD

September 29, 2006

Rest easy brother,you and your k-9 have finished your tours of duty.Job well done. We will take it from here...

Detective Sergeant
Buffalo NY PD

September 29, 2006

God Speed to you Brother, and to your loyal patner, Diogi. I could not believe the news this morning when I turned on the television. Know that neither of you will be forgotten, for you will always live on in our hearts, and we all know that you guys will be watching over us from the heavens above. No words I can offer can ease the pain of losing you to your family, friends and co-workers, I just hope they know that they are not alone, and that they
are not the only ones to feel the deep pain caused by this senseless act. Until we meet Sir, Rest in Peace, and thank you for your service to your country and your community.

Trooper P. H. Phalen #1725
1st Division/Area 8
Virginia State Police

Trp. P. H. Phalen
Virginia State Police

September 29, 2006

Deputy Williams is a Hero who will always be remembered for laying down his life for his fellow man. May God Bless his wife, children and family. Blessed are the peacemakers:for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Rest in peace Brother.

Officer Ron Paulk
Tampa Police Department

September 29, 2006

On the day that we are mourning the loss of two of our own brothers we share our hearts and prayers with the Williams family and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. On a day that was so tragic for law enforcement may we always remember Deputy Sheriff Matt Williams, K-9 Diogi, Sergeant Dale Holcolm O.S.H.P, Trooper Josh Risner. O.S.H.P, and Officer Matt Weeks Tempe PD. September 28, 2006 may be their end of watch, but they will forever be in our hearts and shine down on us from heaven.

OHIO SATE HIGHWAY PATROL

September 29, 2006

God Bless you Deputy Williams. Another one of America's finest taken from us much too early. My prayers and thoughts to his family, friends and co-workers. As I shed my tears tonight, I will be thinking of all of you. Thank you for protecting your community and paying the ultimate price.

Kathy Corr
Mother of Officer Joseph Corr EOW 2/27/06 New Hartford NY

September 29, 2006

God Bless you Deputy Williams. Another one of America's finest taken from us much too early. My prayers and thoughts to his family, friends and co-workers. As I shed my tears tonight, I will be thinking of all of you. Thank you for protecting your community and paying the ultimate price.

Kathy Corr
Mother of Officer Joseph Corr EOW 2/27/06 New Hartford NY

September 29, 2006

Heavy difficult words come to mind only as I reflect on this tragedy. The words are pain, anger, sorrow, fear etc... Thanks for making the ultimate sacrifice and reminding us all that no "routine" traffic stop is ever a "routine" traffic stop. Our thoughts and prayers to all the members and family of the Polk Country L.E. community. We lost another hero yesterday....may his sacrifice never be forgotten each day as another duty shift begins.

Aux. Sgt. D.E. Karnes
Auxiliary Policing Unit--Chesapeake (VA) Police Department

September 29, 2006

May you and your partner rest in peace. And bless all the brothers in blue for a job well done.

Lt. Lee Wooten
Ohatchee, Alabama P.D.

September 29, 2006

May God comfort Deputy Williams' family, fellow officers, loved ones, and friends. It is with great sadness that he lost his life in such a manner, and that someone would rob his family of a wonderful future together. He and Diogi did truly make the ultimate sacrifice. Many of us care deeply and we will never forget. Thank you Sir for what you did all those years to help keep the streets a safer place. It is with such regret that you had to give your life to see that happen.

Julie Parramore, RN, BSN
Concerned Citizen

September 29, 2006