Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Susie,

I just wanted to let you know that I too was in Washington D.C. for the National Police Officers Memorialevent. Our Honor Guard was unable to attend last years event when one of our own was inducted, but I was Honored to stand with our brothers and sisters in uniform this year and participate in an event that will live in my memory for a very long time. Take care of yourself and your children and may God bless you each and every day.

Yours Truely

Reserve Deputy Philip S. Zahm
Huntington County Police Department

Dear Susan,

Until May 2000 I never knew that you and or your situation excisted. I met you in Washington D.C. at what I must say was a much needed ceramoney for all that attended. I am sending you this to express my sincere condolences to you and your family, and also to say that my thoughts are with you.

I did not know your husband but after talking to you and reading the other letters, I know that he was a great officer and one that you and your children should be proud of. Do keep smiling and know that you are not alone. For after talking with you it was easy to gain strength to deal with my on loss of 2 great officers from the same county of the same year.

Again may god continue to bless you and your family in the days and years to come. Remain strong and proud and find peace in knowing, "YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE".

God Bless You and Yours,

L/Cpl Black
SCHP

Brad,

I got to see Melanie ice skating in a competition a few weeks ago and just thought you should know how beautiful she looked. I don't know how she finished because I had a call to respond to, but she looked wonderful out there on the ice.
Everyone is still missing and thinking of you brother, please keep an eye on us. It's already getting busier on the streets and we could sure use the help.
God bless you and your family,
Fred

Fred Ray
FWPD

Susie,

Although the recent arrest won't bring Brad back to us, it will be somewhat of a comfort knowing that the person will face trial for taking Brad away. Out thoughts and prayers remain with you and if you need anything, please do not hesistate to ask. Stay strong and stay proud, and we will all be thinking of him on May 15th.

Patrolman Steve Vallance
Auburn Police Dept.

Well what a week, they arrested the man that hit you Monday. Things have been so crazy around here. The kids miss you so much, we talk about you all the time. They know you are in heaven with God and Jesus. Ryan wrote his book at school about you being there.

To everyone reading this, your continued prayers sustain us through each and every day. We have a long road ahead of us with a trial and going through more first's without Brad. He is so truely missed in so many areas of not only our lives but many many others. If you are here I am sure you miss him too. Thank you for being his friend and ours. We as a family are trying to do things to help change some things that might save another family from going through what we are. I still hang on to the thought that if only one good thing comes of this tragidy then it will be just a small amount easier to deal with.

Brad was a one and only and there will never be anyone that will ever replace him, but I trust he is in a beautiful place resting in peace forever.

Have a blessed day

Susie

Susie
Brad's widow

AS I NORMALLY DO

I woke up this morning,

As I normally do.

Started off with some breakfast,

As I normally do.

Played with the kids and conversed with my wife.

Who knew today would be the last of my life.

I put on my blue, looking spit shined and new.

I was proud of who I was.

I had a hard job to do.

I reported to the station,

As I normally do.

Talked awhile with some friends,

Some old, some new.

Hitting the streets now,

As I normally do.

Got to be alert, on my P's and Q's.

Stopped another bad guy,

As I normally do.

Who knew this would be the last thing I'd ever do.

I have given my life for the badge that I wore.

Won't come back to my wife and kids anymore.

I know tears will be shed, and I will miss you too,

But always remember this was the job I chose to do,

To make this place safe for me and for you.

All of those red and blue lights,

What a sight to see.

Who knew someday this would all be for me.

As you lay me down to my final resting place,

Just remember the smile that was always on my face.

And, if you are not too busy,

Take a moment or two,

And say a prayer for my family,

As I would normally do.<

By St. Louis Police Officer Terrell L. Robinson, 8-10-00
A tribute to the men and women of Law Enforcement Everywhere. Inspired by the shooting of Officer Robert Stanze.

Susan,

I've enjoyed getting to know you on the computer, and hope to meet you someday. A fellow officer wrote this poem at the time of Bob's death, and I thought I'd share it with you. After reading all of these reflections, it's obvious Brad was a wonderful person. Although it is a tragedy that you and I must go through this pain, it is comforting to have someone out there who "understands". I hope you and your children are doing well.

Michelle Stanze

St. Louis PD Widow

Michelle Stanze

I never met Officer Matteson but I know why he went to work everyday, even after 19 years! It is such a tragedy to lose an officer who holds so much promise of what is behind him and what lies ahead. It is hard to move on when someone is left behind. The community and the state lost a member of the thin blue line, the line is not broken, though. We have angels like Officer Matteson watching over the rest of us. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and co-workers. You all are in my prayers. Godspeed, Bradley.

Officer Donna C. Hillier
Purdue University Calumet Police Department, IN

Brad,

I miss you so much, there as so many things going on that would make you so proud. Ryan's hockey team won the state championship! I hope the decisions I am making are the right ones, I sure wish you were here to help. Keep being there to guide us as our angel. We love you and miss you so so much.

S

Susan Matteson

Goodbye For Now

By Kathy Troccoli

I can’t believe that you’re really gone now

Seems like it’s all just a dream

How can it be that the world will go on

When something has died within me

Leaves will turn

My heart will burn with colors of you

Snow will fall but I’ll recall your warmth

Summer wind breathing in your memory

I’ll miss you

But there will be a time

When I’ll see your face

And I’ll hear your voice

And there we will laugh again

And there will come a day

When I’ll hold you close

No more tears to cry

Cause we’ll have forever

But I’ll say goodbye for now

I can’t imagine my life without you

You held a place all your own

Just knowing you were beneath the same sky

Oh what a joy I have known

On rainy days in many ways

You’ll water my heart

On starry nights I’ll glimpse the light of your smile

Never far from my heart

You’ll stay with me

So I’ll wait

But there will be a time

When I’ll see your face

And I’ll hear your voice

And there we will laugh again


And there will come a day

When I’ll hold you close

No more tears to cry

Cause we’ll have forever

But I’ll say goodbye for now

I MISS YOU BIG BROTHER

Colby

Susie, Alex, Melanie,& Ryan,

I just want to tell you how proud I am of all of you. The courage you show each and everyday is amazing. I know that your lives will never be the same since Brads death but I think each of you will find strengths that you did not know you had. Brad would be so proud of all of you. In his own special way he has smiled on each of you and that smile will live on in you forever. I think about the smile alot and it always makes me laugh, and sometimecry. I want you to know that I think you are all doing a terrific job of carring on his legacy and I am sure he would approve! Love you all Angie

Angela Matteson

We love you all so much.  Knowing at this time life is getting more hectic.  Being a single parent is not easy.  Being so far away from you and the kids is hard for we would love to be closer to help you, but we know and have seen when we were there all the LOVE you have around you.  Susie, as you know how wonderful Brad was it showed all over Ft. Wayne how special of a person he was.  The love and support that the community poured out was amazing in it self.  You are a very unique and special person to have such gratitude of
friends so close by your side.  Reading all the reflections brings back memoires of Brad in my mind.  Yes, he had that smile on his face, saying I'm so innocent I'm not up to anything, what you talking about, not me.  And speaking of love he adored his children and the love you and he shared was like you two were truly meant for each other.  I remember you sharing the dating talks with me. That was special and could hear it in your heart that this was "THE MAN." 

We don't understand WHY but you two shared many special and happy memories. And one day when we all get to heaven what a glorious day that will be.  We will see our loved ones, and once again we will see that BRAD MATTESON'S big smile.

Love you sweetie,

Your Dad and Michelle

Susie and children

Every day I drive by State and Coliseum and I think about what you must be going through.  As I go by I say a prayer that somehow your family will get through these hard times and start to heal.  I cannot even imagine what you must be going through but hopefully the prayers of all the psople whose lives were touched by Brad will be of some little comfort.  Words cannot adequately express what needs to be said at this time but our thoughts are with your entire family.

Anonymous but caring acquanitance

BRADLEY:

EVERY DAY I GO TO WORK ON THIRD SHIFT I AM REMINDED OF YOU AS I SIT IN THE SQUAD ROOM. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN AS ENJOYABLE AS WHEN YOU WERE THERE TO "LIVEN" THEM UP!

STILL MISSING YOU!

SUSIE:

DONT HESITATE TO CALL IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, ANYTHING AT ALL! GOD BLESS AND HANG IN THERE!

MARK WENTZ AND FAMILY
FT. WAYNE

Dear Susie,

As Trace and I sit down and read these reflections we relize that everyone has aleast one of the same memories of Brad, and that would be his smile. Your husband has left many memories with each and everyone of us, you and the kids were the lucky ones to see it each and everyday. If you hold that in your heart and never let it go a part of Brad will be with you forever.

I wish I could be closer to you to share the tears of sorrow and the laughs of tomorrow. To just put my arms around you and cry with you to let you know I'm here. Hang in there Susie, I love you and think of you and the kids each and everyday.

Love Ya,

Joyce Roller
Sartell,MN

Susie,

Just a note to let you know that we are thinking of you.  Our family has been where yours is now and I hope you wouldn't hesistate to call if you ever need something or just feel like crying.  God Bless you and all of Brad's family.

Michelle (Heck) James

I love to see all your posts.  I can hardly believe it is 4 weeks tonight that Brad was taken from me.  If you are reading this thank you for caring enough for Brad to check here also.  People say each day will get easier, well I am still waiting on that.  I would say each day gets harder and a little more reality enters the picture.  The kids are really missing there dad.  We start our family counseling soon so we are really looking forward to that.  I must say, Melanie wanted to read the posts here, she really liked what they said about her dad.  There are many wonderful honors that are hopefully coming about in Brads name and it will be a wonderful thing for me and the kids to always have those things to keep his spirit alive.  Until next time I feel the need to post, thanks for reading and keeping us in your prayers, we need all the help we can get right now.

Susan Matteson
FWPD widow

Susie,

I just wanted to let you know how happy Dayna and I were to see you at church last Sunday.  Dayna had talked about resigning from her Sunday School duties because of how hectic Sunday mornings can be.  However, when she walked into her classroom and saw Ryan, she new that she had to be there for him.

Good Shepherd is a wonderful place to heal.  The peace and love of Christ Jesus is very evident there.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Dayna and I are here for you and the kids.  Hang in there and don't ever hesitate to give us a call.

Tom & Dayna Rhoades
Fort Wayne Police

You allowed us peace of mind when you worked security for Hook's Drug on Rudisill. You allowed me to do my job with peace of mind and a smile on my face.  You gave, Joyce, security that I would come home safe each and every night.

Even more than that you and Susie became our best friends in Ft Wayne.  You were the best, Brad.  We never could see you without coming away with your infectious smile implanted on our face.  You were a wonderful friend, father, husband, officer, and person.

We cherish the memories of you... the Komets games, the ice skating at the rink, the quick one liners, and that infectious smile!

God Bless you!!!  May you look down upon us with that infectious smile and allows to keep moving forward and spread your smile to everyone we come in contact with.

Susie please contact us any time you need us, for anything!  We hope to see you this summer!  God Bless, you and the kids are in our prayers.

Trace & Joyce Roller
Pharmacist, Sartell

I never knew Officer Matteson, but I wanted to write and thank him and all law enforcement officers for the job they do.  To Mrs. Matteson, the thoughts and prayers of many, many people are with you and your family.  I wish that there was something I could say other than that I am so very sorry for your loss.

LT
Concerned Citizen

I only had the privilege of knowing you, Brad, for a short time.  I will always remember you standing at our office door with a pop in one hand and that 'grin'.  When you came in our office, you 'lit' up the whole office and gave us all a reason to smile.  You shared yours stories of the love and proud feelings you had for your wife and children.  It was obvious you cared for them very deeply and cared about the community.  You will always be remembered and I thank you Susan and children for sharing your husband and dad with all of us on third shift at IPFW.

Sue Ealing
IPFW Police Department (3rd shift)

Dear Susie,

We think of you and grieve with you every day. Your loss is certainly greater than ours, but we still shed tears and grieve with you daily.

I (Ken) was away for a week. When I got home, we, like you, relived this nightmare again. We read the reflections on this page and cried. We will continue to do so for a very long time. Anything you and the kids need will be provided: just ask. We're in the phonebook and 370+ cops in Fort Wayne, and the tens of thousands in the country will take care of you and the kids!

Love,

Ken & Jenelle Steeg
Fort Wayne Police Department

I find myself writing not merely to show respect to a fallen officer, but to offer condolences to Ms. Matteson.  Her comments about visiting this site daily to check for reflections was so touching yet so tragic.  May God keep you comforted Ms. Matteson. And may my brief message offer evidence that your husband's death saddens officers from all over the country.

Sgt. Keith Olson
Greeley Police Dept. Colorado

I first met Brad in July 1995, when I interviewed him for a story on the police department's bike patrol for WPTA-TV. Even during that short period of time, I could tell what a wonderful person Brad was. His picture on this page is how I remember Brad.

I met Brad again as I worked for the Parks Department and got to meet his wife and children. There was a connection between Susie and myself, as we were both spouses of police officers.

I am so deeply sorry that this wonderful, kinda crazy, outspoken man did not return to his family October 5, 2000. I wish there were words to express how horrible this tragedy is, but most of all, I wish we didn't have to express them.

Jenelle Steeg
Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation

I can't believe I have to have this as on of my favorite places on the web.  I can't tell you how much it means to me to see what you have written about Brad. I love him so much I can't believe he is gone.  I hope everyone keeps on writing because it is a highlight of my day to see another persons thoughts about Brad.  Thank you all for such great support through the worst time of my life.

Susie

Susan Matteson

I sit here and read, still in shock.  I thank everyone for the wonderful things you say about Brad. I read this everyday to see if anyone else has thought of him today.  I will continue to read so please continue to write.  It is so healing to read these.  I will keep you updated on how we are doing.

Thank you so much!

Susie

Susan Matteson
FWPD, widow