Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

GOD Bless the family, friends and co-workers of Ofc. Pavelka.
We recently lost one of own (10/25/03) and we feel your loss.
Reading this webpage brought great comfort. You are not alone.


The Men and Women of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Department

November 25, 2003

Matthew...
I have read every one of these tributes and it is clear that you were well loved. There are many who do not understand our profession or why we would want to be part of it. Nevertheless, our community has seen an outpouring of love, respect and admiration for you and your act of heroism.

I believe that on that Saturday night, you were not only a hero but a warrior as well. With each day that passes, I learn something new about you. To this moment, I cannot stop grieving over you, and I know that every one of our brothers and sisters feel the same as I.

I know that you are in a far better place my friend. Please know that we are all thinking of your family and will be forever in their debt for sharing you with us.

Until we meet again:
May the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine gently upon your face.
May the rain fall softly upon your home,
and may God hold you safe and warm in his hands...

dan

Officer Dan Turpin
Burbank Police Department

November 24, 2003

TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER PAVELKA AND THE OFFICERS OF THE BURBANK P.D.

MY DEEPEST AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO ALL OF YOU AS YOU GO THROUGH AN EXTREME TIME OF EMOTIONS IN THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE AND FELLOW BROTHER...

OFFICER PAVELKA WE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU AS YOU CAME TO ASSIST ANOTHER OFFICER THAT DAY. MAY YOU GO FORWARD TO THE GATES OF HEAVEN TO WATCH OVER US ALL AS WE CARRY ON FOR YOU ON THIS EARTH AS YOU REST FOREVER MORE IN ETERNITY.

Police Officer
Nekoosa Police Department

November 24, 2003

As representative to the GPOA board for the Glendale PD retired ofcs, I am speaking on behalf of all the retired officers.
We wish to send the family Pavelka our deepest sympathy for the loss of Burbank Ofc Matthew Pavelka. We wish the Burbank Police Dept well, and a speedy apprehension of the outstanding Criminal. May this Coward be brought to justice in the near future.
God Bless YOU All.

Ret. Ofc. Guido A. Drogemuller
Glendale PD, CA.

OFC. GUIDO DROGEMULLER, RET.
GLENDALE PD, CA.

November 24, 2003

MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMILY OF P.O. MATTHEW PAVELKA.

THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AMTRAK POLICE DEPARTMENT EXTENDS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE BURBANK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO THE FAMILY OF P.O. MATTHEW PAVELKA.

GOD BLESS!!!

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR
AMTRAK POLICE DEPARTMENT NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY DIVISION

November 24, 2003

I have recently recieved this tragic news by email from two friends who work in the Burbank Police force. Here in England it is always very upsetting when one of our officers falls. Even if you do not personally know this officer it feels as though you do as he is or was one of a very big family, The police service.
Our thoughts go out to the family of this officer at this tragic time.
Martin Allen PC347TD. Traffic department
Metropolitan Police. England. UK.

PC 347TD Martin Allen
Metropolitan Police. London. UK

November 24, 2003

A heartbreaking loss. Deepest sympathy to Officer Pavelka's family and friends.

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poor death, nor yet can'st thou kill me.

- John Donne

Gerry Gray, A/Director (Ret.)
Canada Customs - Investigations - London, Ontario, Canada

November 23, 2003

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because brave men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-Steve Robinson Seal Team One 1971-1973

First Sergeant J.L. Slaughter
Radford City Department of Police

November 23, 2003

WE WILL FIND HIM, BROTHER.

REST IN PEACE, BLUE ANGEL. GOD SPEED.

"GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAT HE WILL LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS..."

November 23, 2003

Kepp looking to the hills, because weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.We are praying with you and your family. My deepest sympathy to the the family of officer Pavelka and the Burbank P.D.

T Goss
Shadco. Jax.Fl

November 23, 2003

Rest in Peace brother. May God be with your family that was left behind.

Anonymous

November 23, 2003

Matt…

As your D-Tac instructor, I am proud and honored to say that I knew you. Unfortunately your life was cut way too short by a coward. Though he showed extreme cowardice, you however proved to be a true warrior. Here I sit in front of the keyboard and I was pretty sure what I wanted to say, but really, words seem so meaningless. Even though you resisted what I was trying to teach you at first and thought that wrestling was the answer to all the problems, I know that we got through to you. Everybody here at Burbank knows that you were brave in the face of danger on that rainy Saturday night. You didn’t run, you stood your ground even though bullets were flying, knowing that Greg was in danger. Tonight I watched the video of you going through the training scenarios, and will be giving your family a copy so they can watch you in action. I know that your family, friends and coworkers miss you. Even though you were here only a few short months, you will never be forgotten. God Speed my friend.

P.S. Sorry about those two bloody noses.

Officer Brent Ambrose
Burbank Police Department

November 23, 2003

It seems like yesterday, we lost a fine officer in a simular situation. Officer Pavelka gave the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the city he serves. He died a hero.

Off. Ken Newsom
Oceanside Police Department

November 22, 2003

Like a few of you that have left reflections I too knew Matt personally. We were stationed at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom together. It is sad to say it had been sometime since I last talked to him. When you are in the military sometimes you make friends and then you or they have to leave. Either onto another base in my case or in Matt's case to fulfill a dream of becoming a Police Officer. I really can't remember how many times I have thought about Matt since I last talked to him in England but a day, not even an hour has passed in the last week that he hasn't been in my thoughts. To the family and friends of Matt know that you are in my prayers and the prayers of many, many people out there.

SSgt Jason Culley
377 SFS/Kirtland AFB

November 22, 2003

It makes me sad to see such a young officer struck down so early in his career. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and his fellow brothers in blue.

Trooper K-9 Officer
Missouri State Highway Patrol

November 22, 2003

Brother,

Rest in peace. We all know that you will guide us and protect us from above. My prayers go out to you and your family. May God Bless them all.

Your fellow law enforcement brother!

Special Agent
Department of Homeland Security

November 22, 2003

On Saturday 15th November, I, together with my partner Jackie and Daughter Rhianna were Guests at the Ramada Inn Burbank, Ca. on a family visit.

We returned to the hotel together with my father, and a friend, who are both residents of your area, shortly after the tragic events that occurred at the hotel on that evening.

We would like to send our deepest condolences to Matthew’s Family, and wish Gregory a Swift recovery from his injuries.

Our thoughts are with both families at this difficult time.
This comes both from my family and from our Crime Scene Unit here in Derby, UK.

The enquiry team.
I spoke to a Glendale officer on the perimeter at the time, and am now aware via Internet reports, of the extent of the multi agency cooperation, during this incident.

From what I saw on the night, and have read subsequently, the team has done an excellent job. Leaving no stone unturned in the search for the outstanding person, and bringing in associated criminals, for related offences, in the Murder of a fine young officer, and the wounding of the veteran officer.

I would also pay tribute to this joint agency team, of whom it was said by a senior officer "They will not go home". I have every confidence that these offences will be swiftly and fully detected.

Our thoughts are with you.

Mike (Jackie & Rhianna) Twomey
Stan Twomey and David Caruso
(And the team)
Derbyshire Constabulary
Scientific Support (Crime Scene Unit),
Derby. UK

CSI Mike Twomey
Derbyshire Police UK

November 22, 2003

On behalf of the members of the Burbank Police Officers Association, I would like to extend our heartefelt thanks for all of the support during this tragedy. Matt Pavelka is a hero and will remain forever in our hearts.
Darin Ryburn, President
Burbank Police Officers Association

Detective Darin Ryburn, President
Burbank Police Officers Association

November 22, 2003

So young, so unfair. Thank you for serving your community. I am thinking of your family along with your Fellow Officers.

Officer Julie Schmidt
Louisville Metro Police Dept. Louisville, KY

November 22, 2003

God Bless YOU brother
YOU will always be remembered
you are a true Hero of Blue

Ann
none

November 21, 2003

To all the men and women of Burbank P.D. Well done. You have shown America and our communities what true pride, commitment and honor is all about. The funeral services for Matt were outstanding. Everyone can be proud that a true hero has been memorilized and will not be forgotten.

To Matts family - Thank you for your courage in your family's loss. It was a privelage to be at the services for Matt.

Chaplain Steve Hillmann
Los Angeles Police Department

November 21, 2003

Deepest condolances from Delta flight at Fairchild AFB.

THE BLUE BERET
The Army Has Its Claim to Fame,The Airborne Ranger, The Green Beret
The World Knows Of The Navy Seals, Life Of Danger, Men Of Steel
The Corps Have Their Elite Too, Recon Patrol, The Proud, The Few
But When It Comes To Us Not Much Is Heard, We're Just The Cops Who Guard The Birds
In Vietnam, Thru Toil And Strife, We Gave It All, Our Hearts, Our Lives
A Page In History, A Chapter In Time, We Fought For Freedom, Yours And Mine
We Remain Vigilant, Through The Cold And Rain
And Bear The Fatigue, Hardship, And Pain
This Piece Of Ground, We Will Defend, Side by Side, Till The Bitter End
So Fear Not Pilot, You Can Fly All Day, This Base Is Guarded
By The Blue Beret

SSgt Will Glover
92 SFS/SFOD

November 21, 2003

Just a route stop, the dispatcher heard every day,
And she always wondered, is that what they meant to say.

A routine stop it should have been,
A backup call, is how he called it in.

The next radio traffic was barely a sound,
Get me some help, I've been hit, I'm down!

The call went out, help?s on the way,
Oh, please God, can I take back this day!

Two calls advise status, there was no sound,
As this brave officer laid on the ground!

More calls advise status, again and again,
Another officer calls in, he's taken our friend!

But the office he chose never promised long life
Just half of his salary, for his child and his wife

He went without fear, into the darkness of night
Bringing comfort to some, to some others light

Easing their pain and calming their fears
He did his duty, never asking for cheers

A husband, a cop, he answered the call
We bid him farewell for he gave his all.

I would like to extend my condolences to Officer Pavelka's family and friends, and to the men and women of the Burbank Police Department. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
GOD BLESS

Officer @ Calipatria State Prison
California Dept. of Corrections

November 21, 2003

God speed brother.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Peaceful rest, now.

Master Corporal Jeff Jones
Cape Coral Police Department, Fl.

November 21, 2003

Another senseless crime takes another beautiful life. To Officer Pavelka's family and friends, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Nothing can replace a man would lay down his life for his friends and even strangers. Matthew fought the good fight, even for a short time and may he now hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant." God Bless you all.

Law Enforcement Family

November 21, 2003