Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

MATT,

IT'S BEEN 3 YEARS SINCE YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US. AND WHEN NOV. 15, 2006 CAME AROUND, THERE WAS SOME PEOPLE THAT HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT DAY WAS, OR MEANT. TO ME, IT WAS THE DAY THAT YOU WERE TAKEN FROM US. THIS THANKSGIVING, I PRAYED FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND THOUGHT ABOUT YOU, WHEN WE MET IN THE STREETS OF BURBANK. EACH DAY THAT I GO OUT FOR A FUGITIVE, YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM COME TO MIND. AND TRULY IT ALL MAKES ME WONDER IF THIS JOB IS WORTH IT.

I PICKED UP A FUGITIVE IN YOUR JURSDICTION ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, AND WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME, I STOPPED AND TAPED A USAF FLAG TO YOUR SIGN. YOU EARNED IT VERY MUCH. THE CITY ISNT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU MATT. I CANT EXPLAIN IT, BUT IT IS. I HOPE THAT ONE DAY, OUR PATHS WILL CROSS AGAIN. TAKE CARE, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS THE PAVELKA FAMILY.

"AIM HIGH, USAF."

ANTHONY A. OLIVER
FUGITIVE RECOVERY AGENT
CALIFORNIA FUGITIVE WARRANTS.

P.S. REMEBER WHAT YOU TOLD ME, "ALWAYS KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN."

ANTHONY A. OLIVER
CALIFORNIA FUGITIVE WARRANTS

November 24, 2006

You have touched many lives in such a positive way. Thank you for your protection.

November 15, 2006

Thinking of you and your family this day.

Citizen

November 15, 2006

I wanted to extend my sympathies to Officer Pavelka's family and friends. I did not know Officer Pavelka, but I am confident he was a good man. May he rest in peace.

Lyndsey
Friend of a friend

November 15, 2006

Three years ago, this wonderful man was shot and killed by a vile coward. I still remember it like it happened yesterday. We heard the sirens go "Code 3" past our house. The blood rushed to my ears, pounding in my head. My heart felt heavy. I knew something was wrong and that it involved someone I cared about.

Matt had only been on the force 10 months. He loved his job and didn't back down from the firefight. He protected the other officer with his life.

In the short amount of time I had the opportunity to be friends with Matt, I adored him. It was an immediate feeling of comfort. He was friendly, funny as hell and could always make you smile. I will cherish the fun times we had forever. He was destined to become one of my "brothers", like many of the other guys have become. He was a good man. He will always be.

God Bless you Matty. Thank you for always watching over me. I feel your presence constantly.

And as always, our thoughts and prayers go out to Matt's family and loved ones. I'm so sorry for the pain you continue to go through. Please know that he will NEVER be forgotten.

L. Ambrose
Wife of BPD officer

November 15, 2006

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 3rd anniversary of your end of watch. I know the tears still flow silently from the broken hearts of those that love you dearly. You have not been forgotten nor will that ever be the case. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still on patrol. There are no magic words any of us can offer to ease the pain of those that love you except that they are not alone and can only take one day at a time. You are a true hero and heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 15, 2006

No day in the field is complete without remembering the sacrifice you made.

BPD Group 4

November 15, 2006

May Our Lord bless both you and your loved ones.

November 15, 2006

Matt
As we approach three years your memory is still so vivid. You are thought about daily and your presence is truly missed. God bless you and your family

John

John W. McCaul
Turtle Creek P.D./Friend

November 11, 2006

Officer Pavelka, thank you for your service to the citizen's of California.

Continue to watch over your family giving them the courage, love and guidance to make it through this dark time. Watch over your brothers and sisters in uniform.

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of Retired LEO

October 26, 2006

Matt,

It will soon be 3 years and it gets no easier. Not a minute goes by that I don't think of you. I look forward to the day that I can be with you again. I see by the reflections from your friends that you have not been forgotten.

Mom

Sue Pavelka
Matt's Mom

October 24, 2006

"Just A Cop"


The funeral line was long,
There's an awful lot of cars,
Folks came out of the restaurants,
They came out of the bars.
The workers at the construction sites
All let their hammers drop.
Someone asked. "What is this all for?"
And they said,"Aw, just a Cop."

Some chuckled at the passing cars.
Some shed a silent tear
Some people said,"It's stupid."
"All these dumb policemen here."
"How come they are not out fighting crime?"
"Or in a doughnut shop?"
"Sure is a lot of trouble,
For someone who's just a Cop."

They blocked the intersections,
They blocked the interstate.
People yelled and cursed,
"Damn, it's gonna make me late!"
"This is really ridiculous!"
"They're makin' us all stop!"
"It seems they are sure wastin' time,
On someone who's just a Cop."

Into the cemetery now,
The slow procession comes,
The woeful Taps are slowly played.
There's loud salutes from guns.
The graveyard workers shake their heads
"This service is a flop."
"There's lots of good words wasted,
On someone who's just a Cop"

Yeah, just a Cop to most folks.
Did his duty every day.
Trying to protect us,
Till they took his life away.
And when he got to heaven,
St. Peter put him at the top.
An angel asked him,
"Who was that?"
And he said, "Aw, just a Cop."

The Judgment:

The Officer stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shinning,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The Officer squared his shoulder and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I aint,
Because those of us who carry badges can't
always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent
Because the streets are tough.

But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't...I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne,
where the saints often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, Officer."
"You've borne your burdens well."
"Come walk a beat on heaven's streets,"
"You've done your time in Hell"

Rest In Peace My Brothers & Sisters
Who Have Given Your All. You Have
Earned Your Wings, Soar On.
Author Unknown

Officer Feola, Ronald
Henderson Police Department, friend

October 3, 2006

Matt is in my thoughts almost every day. I pray for his family to have the strength to carry on, yet do not have the curage to contact them to give them my love. He has a loving and strong family, and he was one of my best friends. I sit here in tears trying to muster up the words to express, but cannot. All I can say is that Matt was a strong, caring and fun person to be around. Without him, I would have never folowed the path that I have, and for that I am thankful. He inspired me to live life and be daring, which ultimately led me to pursue law enforcement. I truly miss him and wish that I could have seen him one last time before his passing. I rarely express how I feel about this, but now I can. Losing him has touched me dearly, I can only imagine how you are all doing.
God bless his family, Merideth and Austin. I pray for you all!
Ron

Officer Ronald Feola, HPD
Dear friend from childhood

October 3, 2006

I was looking for something totally unrelated when I found your name and followed the link to here.You sound like a very special young man and I ask the Lord to give you sweet sleep and to give your family strength and courage.G-D Bless.

September 10, 2006

Matt,

I never had the pleasure of knowing you but I visit this site quite often. As a civilian law enforcement officer for 4 years and prior USAF Security Police Officer for 14 years, I truly know the sacrifice you gave. I just want you to know that you are not forgotten, your family is not forgotten and I want to share something with you. I belong to an organization known as the Police Unity Tour (PUT). We just completed our 10th year of riding bicycles from New Jersey to Washington, DC to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM), to raise money and public awareness for officers such as you that paid the ultimate sacrifice. I am proud to say that the (PUT) raised $1,000,000 this year and had over 1000+ officers throughout the country make the journey. To date, the (PUT) has donated over $3.2 million dollars, which makes our organization the single, largest, private contributor to the (NLEOM). Matt, from one brother to another, it is not how you died that made you a hero, it is how you lived your life. We in law enforcement represent the thin blue line. IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE.

God Speed,
Officer David Heritage
EHTPD, NJ

Officer David Heritage
Egg Harbor Township Police, NJ

August 23, 2006

Matt

Another day has passed, another day without you.
The world and our lives continue, but I will tell all, it is a much sadder world without you Matt.

I had the pleasure, the treasure of holding Matt as a small baby. I think even then he had that smile, that smile that once you saw it you would never forget.

We will never forget you Matt!!

I heard your dad say he thinks of you a hundred times a day. I know it is more than that, because I think of you atleast 100 times a day.

With Much Love and Prayers To Matt's friends and his beloved family

Howard and Patti Novak.

Howard Novak
LAPD Reserve Officer and dear friend

July 9, 2006

Matt,

Happy 4th of July, I watched the fireworks tonight and of course I was thinking of you. I miss you soooooo much. I love you.

Mom

Sue Pavelka
Mom

July 5, 2006

Matt,

Today we attended your best friend Austins wedding. I knew if you were there you would have been standing at the alter with him. During the reception the showed some pictures of Austin and Kelly growing up and you were in one with austin. I miss you sooooo much.

Mom

Sue Pavelka
Matts Mom

May 29, 2006

Matt,

I still think of you often and will never forget the times we spent together at the Ventura County Sheriff's Academy. I admired your happy-go-lucky personality while the rest of us stressed out. During my second academy with the Mesa Police Department in Arizona, your picture appeared during a defensive tactics power-point presentation. A picture of a true Hero appeared before me and tears came to my eyes. The instructor told the story of our brother in blue that stood his ground and fought with Courage. Thank You for your Bravery and Dedication.

Rest in Peace and May God Bless You!

Class 2002-2 Ventura County Sheriff’s Academy.

Ofc. Steve Jauregui
Mesa Police Department, Mesa Az.

March 30, 2006

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Matt, personally. The reason I am leaving my reflection, is I want his family and friends to know that people not even knowing Matt personally do have you in our thoughts. From what I have read Matt was not only a brave officer, he was a great son, friend and community leader. His ultimate sacrafice to our country will never be forgotten nor will his incredible personality.

J. Pavelka

March 25, 2006

Matt,

Your little niece Madaline turned 2 and as I sat watching her open presents in the house that you picked out I cried. I am grateful that god gave me that beautiful little girl but if only I had you also my life would be perfect. I think of you a million times a day. I know that you are Mattie's guardian angel and how lucky she is.

Mom

Sue Pavelka, Mother

March 5, 2006

We think of you frequently and fondly. Class 2002-2 Ventura Sheriff’s Academy

Deputy Daniel Calderon
Santa Barbara Sheriff's Dept.

March 1, 2006

To Ofcr Matthew Pavelka and his family: My son, Burbank Ofcr Randy Lloyd, was there the night Ofcr Pavelka died. Be assured that the members of the Los Angeles Police Dept. will always remember and mourn the loss of this fine, brave man. It is an honor for the entire law enforcement community to have had Matthew Pavelka in its ranks. Sgt. Randy Lloyd Sr.(L.A.P.D. Retired), Agoura Hills, CA.

Sgt. Randall Lloyd(Retired)
Los Angeles Police Dept.

February 3, 2006

Mrs. Pavelka,

I check this page often, to see what new messages have been left. It saddens me on the months where nothing is written. Just today, I saw your last note to Matt. I wanted to tell you that my husband Brent and I still talk about Matt often. We miss him dearly (Brent was Matt's D-Tac instructor if you don't happen to remember) We've even named our kitten Matty after him.

Please know that we are here for you and your family. We would love to hear stories of him as a child, know what things he did before we were priveleged enough to meet him or just to be an ear and a shoulder. It still shocks us that it has been over 2 years since that tragic day, as it still feels so raw. Your son was a great man and as I've said in an earlier post I made to him, was destined to become one of my "big brothers" like the other guys are. We all had so much fun being around him, even if the time we had was short. I promise you we are not extending ourselves simply out of kindness, but honestly as people who wish they could have known Matt better and would truly enjoy speaking with you & your family. Feel free to contact either of us (or both of us) whenever you need through the station.

Our thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Lydia Ambrose
Wife of Burbank Police Officer

January 7, 2006

Matt,

It is now 2006 and it is the beginning of another year wihtout you. People say the time heals all but I am here to say that is not true! I still cry in the night and talk to anyone I can about what a wonderful son and how proud we are of you. You will never be forgotten as long as I am alive...

Mom

Sue Pavelka - Mom

January 6, 2006