Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 31, 2020

Trooper Evans,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Oklahoma. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 31, 2020

To my brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement: Semper vigilans-sine metu "ever vigilant-without fear"....you are the sheep-dogs. A unbreakable force to be reckoned with.

Sgt. Greg Couch
Teller County Sheriff's Office

December 20, 2014

We will never forget...

Det. Kelly Dragus
OCPD

August 31, 2012

Matt, you will always been remembered my friend. I miss the times you would pull up on my traffic stops just to check on me or take a call for me when I was stuck on another call. Thank You for everything. Until we meet again....

ofc John Greene
Nicoma Park Police Department friend

May 15, 2012

Matt, your mom and I spent the day thinking of you and honoring you. Momma loves you so much. I thank God that I can be her friend.

Vickey Dooley
Mothers Friend

September 1, 2011

Ten years ago today you made the ultimate sacrifice, for that, you are not forgotten! Your family and friends will be in my prayers!

Anonymous

September 1, 2010

Missing you so much today and always. I want the words to show how much you are loved, but there are none. Three simple words remain: I love you. Today and always. Watch over your brothers. They need an angel.

Jenn Evans
Matt's half - his wife

March 17, 2009

You shall always be remembered, loved, and missed by all.

Anonymous

September 13, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 9, 2008

Sitting here at work on the ole' hoot shift, and got to thinking about you. Hard to believe we're fast approaching seven years.

Keep watching over us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours brother.

-Bighead

April 6, 2007

Matt you have inspired me to become a law enforcement officer, I hope I can reach the level of excellence you achieved. You rasied the standards my friend. To this day you still encourage many people.

Deputy John F. Oisten
OK. County Sheriffs Office

November 5, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Trooper Matthew Scott Evans and his fellow officers with the Oklahoma Higway Patrol

On this the sixth anniversary of Matt's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Matt's professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten, nor will his valor and courage.

In reading the loving reflections left by his family, friends and co-workers I can see that he was very loved, well respected and is sorely missed. I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

No doubt that Heaven has another hero in Matt, but I am so sorry you had to lose your beloved. To his parents, I too share your anquish of having lost a cherished son in a line of duty death. May you all continue to be comforted by your faith and your law enforcement family and other police survivors.

I am so sorry that Matt was robbed of his life so young and so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Matt gave to his community and the citizens of Oklahoma, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 31, 2000.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 31, 2006

I was the one who witness the wreck. There was nothing I could do for Matt I:M so sorry.ME ans OCFD got Jeff out . Tonight at 3:06 will be very hard for me along with all of you. Please let Matt's mon dad and brother i'm thinking of them.I' moved to timberkake Northalina ans nost of a i'm thinging of jenniffer i.m so sorry....

chris gaydosik
used to work for emsa

August 30, 2006

To me, it still seems like yesterday I was passing you in the halls on the way to classes. I remember when you used to wrestle in Jr. High and I was one of the matmaids. Your smile always lit up a room and your genuine care and concern, I'm glad to say...Served us well, even if your time to watch was brief. My ex-husband proudly serves on the Edmond Police Department, and though we divorced a few years before he joined, I knew the path that he would lead in life. I'd be lying if I said I didn't worry about him all the time, because he's never far from my mind. I never realized how much devotion it truly takes until this past year when I lost my brother in Iraq. I feel that it doesn't matter...Soldiers, EMT(Paramedics), Fire Fighters, Patrol Officers...YOU ALL SERVE US UNCONDITIONALLY...My gratitude to unrelenting devotion of valor. So, Matt, thanks for the laughs in school and for allowing me to pay my respects to you. I wish we had been better friends, but I will forever be greatful for being blessed with the time I had with you. You will always be loved, cherished, and missed. Keep Watch......Over The Innocent. God Bless You Matt.

Shannon (Williams) Austill
School friend

June 10, 2006

Matt,

Just want you to know that you are still in our hearts every day. We know you are keeping watch over us. We miss you. Until we meet again...

January 19, 2006

Matt, I can't believe its been over five years now. I hope your wife is doing well. You'd never believe it, because I always said I'd never marry a cop, but 9 months after your death I married that California Highway Patrol officer and moved across the country. Of course I also said I never cry and I bawled my eyes out many times in that first week of your death. I think about you and officer Rominger every time I kiss him goodbye before work wondering if it will be the last time. Your funeral was the first law enforcement one I'd been to and I will never forget the impact you had on so many lives. Thanks for the laughs "rookie", and if you can, please watch over my hubby...(I finally found a keeper in the last place I would look! ;)
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha

M. Franks
EMT, Wife of a CHP

November 22, 2005

Wow! What a terribly tragedy. I was just browsing through the 'Today in History' and I came across Officer Evans' page. I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends. Five years ago today your lives were changed forever. Just know that Matt is always with you no matter what. You all are in my thoughts today. Take care of each other and celebrate his life.

Tracie
Friend of Nick Sloan-EOW1/30/04

August 31, 2005

May god bless you and your family, as they get through this terrible time without you. Its so sad that something like this happens to someone who is protecting the people. May you, god and the other troopers who have passed continue to watch over us as well as your families. You will always be missed but never forgotten. Many prayers for you and your family. God Bless.

(citizen)

September 16, 2004

I hope the members of the community which Trooper Evans served truly appreciate his commitment and sacrifice to their safety. Every coworker and family member can be most proud to know his and Trooper Rominger's actions were a true testament of their character. I salute you for your bravery. May you rest in peace in a special place. May your bravery, commitment and sacrifice never be forgotten! My condolences to all of your family and coworkers. AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

June 10, 2004

Matt my man, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I had you for 18 wks in the academy and supervised you when you graduated. It's really unfair that someone with so much potential and promise was taken away from us so soon. I have nothing but great memories of you. I remember the times of me riding with you and having to tell you to slow down because you were nervous your supervisor was riding with you. I would also tell you that I was riding with you as a partner, not a supervisor. I remember telling you to get rid of that dope smoking music you played. (Korn) I remember the look on your face after your first pursuit for which you did a pretty good job. Except for the minor dents to your unit. I remember having to make you come to my office and visit when you were in doing reports. You had one foot planted and the other pointed towards the door. I remember the pride on your face when we talked about Jenn. Brother, you would really be proud of her. She is a strong woman! She has endured and come through like a Trooper! Sometimes I don't know how, but she has. Your name sake, my son Evan just jumped in my lap and he says to tell Jesus hey for him. Your boss really misses you and just wanted to let you know that.

Rest in peace big man.

2Lt Maples #106

2Lt Russell Maples
Oklahoma Highway Patrol

January 24, 2004

I did not know Trooper Evans personally but I have trained with and worked around several of you troopers. I have been on calls that could have turned bad but fortunately metro area brown shirts monitoring our radio freq came to lend a hand. Its a great feeling to see You guys roll up.

Thats what Matt was doing when he and Jeff died. He was going to assist another unit. God bless you and your family Matt. You are truly a hero and we will miss you.

Sgt. Phil Paz
Oklahoma City Police Department

I was a Tac Officer in Matt's Academy,when I think of Matt I see his smile on that big baby face of his.I know that he, Jeff, and Rocky are 10-8 and looking down on us no matter what uniform we're wearing..

Rick Manion
Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Matt was not only my husband, but my best friend. Although I miss him more than I can possibly describe, I know he died doing what he was meant to do- being a Trooper. His partners were more than just partners - they are his brothers forever. I want to thank all the law enforcement officers for the support I have received, especially the OHP Troopers. You have been my strength and my shoulder to cry on. As long as you keep his memory alive, his death has not been in vain. Hanlon, Dugo, Lance, Armstrong, Lumpy, Keith, Lt. Maples, Lt. Diaz - thanks for always being here when I need you. Now it's evident to me why Matt loved you guys so much. I love you.

Jennifer Evans
895 1/2 (Mrs. Matt Evans)

Although I did not know Trooper Evans personally, we all feel a great loss over this trajic event.  Trooper Evans'  will be greatly missed by all of us in the Law Enforcement community, whether near of far.  God's Speed, Matt, you truly have the ultimate watch now.

Officer James Spicer, #6
Davis, OK Police Department