Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Matt,

I still think about you all of the time. You were a best friend to me. My daughter will forever live with your name as her middle name "Mattlyn". I continue to remind her that she is named after a true hero.

Love and miss you bro
Sloan Cox
MSgt USAF (Ret)

Sloan Cox

June 18, 2018

Posted in “The Burbank Leader
November 16, 2017

Burbank police honor slain officer

Burbank Police Officer Matthew Pavelka had only been on the job for less than a year when he was shot and killed during a routine stop in 2003.

Wednesday was the 14-year anniversary of his slaying and the Burbank Police Department marked the occasion with a special memorial ceremony in front of the station. With members of Pavelka’s family in attendance as well as two dozen police officers and city officials, two memorial wreaths were placed in front of the Guardians statue outside the station.

Pavelka and his partner, Officer Gregory Campbell, were in the middle of a routine traffic stop outside of the Burbank Ramada Inn when the occupants of the car fired upon the two.

Campbell was wounded while the 26-year-old Pavelka died in the exchange of gunfire.

Until that day, Burbank had not lost an officer in a shooting since 1920.

The second wreath placed in front of the statue was in honor of Deputy City Marshal Luther Colson, who was killed in the line of duty in 1914.

Police Officer - Retired
NYPD

November 16, 2017

Rest In Peace Brother. You are remembered and honored on the 14th anniversary of your E.O.W. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 15, 2017

Rest in peace my brother. Heroes go to a better place. And these evil people that roam the earth will eventually pay in hell.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD (retired)

November 15, 2017

Matt,
We will NEVER forget!!! Your always in our hearts and prayers.

Keeping us strong!!!

Love,

Your Brothers in Burbank and LASD

DSG
LASD

February 18, 2017

Dear Matt,

13 years has passed but your memory will never be forgotten. I like many that worked at BPD that night will never forget the night you battled like a true warrior to help save Greg. You paid the ultimate sacrifice and God choose you to be a guardian in His kingdom. Even though you are now serving in Heaven, we will always remember your smile, red hair, sense of humor and heroism.

Graveyard Shift Partner
Former BPD and Friend

November 15, 2016

I never personally knew Officer Pavelka, but I was working the night he was killed and responded to the scene. The paramedics were working on him and I assisted with the perimeter. In my book, Officer Greg Campbell and Officer Mathew Pavelka were hero's that night performing the duties that many law enforcement officer's do all the time. It was an unfortunate incident and my hopes are that Officer Pavelka's memory will live on.

Unknown Sergeant
Glendale PD

November 20, 2015

I remember when his death was on the news and became so touched by this young man. To this day, when I see Officer Pavelka's photo or an officer is killed, I think of him and get so sad. A life full of hope and service ended by a lazy bum breaks my heart....

Audrey Huggins
Los Angeles, California

June 26, 2015

Officer Pavelka,
My professor in my Administration of Justice class was your Patrol Captain at the time of your heroic sacrifice. Today in class, he gave a presentation all about you. I was only 9 when it happened, but I knew that it would be forever changing in not only my life, but the citizens of Burbank and all officers around the nation. I wish I could've had the opportunity to meet you. Every time I walk into BPD, I always take a minute to look at the painting that is displayed for all to see. I can only hope to be half the officer you were. Rest in Peace.

Josh Sterling
Future BPD (hopefully one day)

May 13, 2015

I am thankful for Officer Pavelka's service and his life. I see his photo every time I enter the department.

Ross Stein

April 15, 2015

Today I saw a sticker on a vehicle in memory of Officer Pavelka. I was in traffic in Battle Ground, WA.

I just had to let his family know someone else is thinking of them today.

Patt Doyle

January 4, 2015

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 22, 2014

Matt,
Your Mom and I and Aunt Leen were at your grave yesterday to mark the 10th Anniversary of Your death yesterday. Not a day has gone by without us thinking about you. Ten years has helped with the pain but the loss of you in our lives will never go away. Rest in Peace Son.
You Dad

Detective II
LAPD Retired

November 16, 2013

Officer Pavelka, your sacrifice and courage is not forgotten. Almost all of us in patrol, including myself, did not get the privelage to work with you, yet we remember your sacrifice daily.

12739
BPD

November 15, 2013

Matt, in 45 minutes it will be the 15th... 10 years. Ten years, but still only yesterday. The tears flow like it really was all yesterday. I was 8 months pregnant when Jeff called me to "check in"... Now, as a mom, not a moment goes by that I don't think about your mom! Both our girls have grown up knowing you, Matty, even though they never had a chance to meet you. They honor your memory and you are so alive in our home. I will never know what you heard Jeff say to you that night, but I know he wishes he could have been there sooner. Praise God that monster who took you from us is rotting in a cell. Thank you for the extra protection upon us all from God's special forces :) we feel it. More importantly, thank you for never second guessing the duty to protect your fellow officer. I know they didn't second guess the chance to protect you! Much love!

Melissa Lamoureaux
Wife

November 15, 2013

Matt and I were academy mates. I think of him and his sacrifice often and how his service was cut too short. RIP

Rachel Burr POII
Oxnard Police Department

June 5, 2013

I miss you bro.

Ron

May 25, 2013

Dearest Matt,

Today your Dad picked up your gun and badge at BPD. It makes my heart break almost as bad as it did almost 10 years ago. It doesn't get easier, I just learn to live with it. Finally, your killer, David Garcia, has been locked away for the rest of his life and that helps. I miss you everyday.

Sue Pavelka
Matts Mom

April 10, 2013

I read a news article about you online. I'm glad to hear that your killer will rot in prison for the rest of his life. I'm sure that is not much consolation to the family, but hopefully it will bring some closure. Rest in Peace Officer Pavelka

Cole
Law Enforcement Supporter

July 25, 2012

I think about you often and will always have a very special place for you in my heart.

Meredith

November 18, 2011

Today has been 8 years since we lost a good officer, who was also our friend. Matthew Pavelka, we swore to never forget you... and I know without a doubt that I never will. Although your killer has STILL not been brought to justice, rest peacefully knowing that he will, one day, pay the price for taking you from all of us. Thank you for your bravery that night & coming to Greg's aid. I hope to someday make you proud & have the opportunity to have you watch over me as I wear the badge, as I know you have for our other friends. God Bless you ♥

Lydia Ambrose
Wife of BPD Officer

November 16, 2011

I went by and saw you today, but you already knew that. I was only five miles away that dreadful night eight years ago. I wanted to do something so bad, but I couldn't. I think about you all the time. Rest in Peace Matt.

Officer / Sgt Tim Williams
California Highway Patrol / USAF

November 15, 2011

Matt,
You'll never be forgotten and always remain with us brother.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the morning glint on snow,
I am the Autumn winds that blow.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

Sgt Morgan Cabaniss
United States Air Force

November 15, 2011

Eight years ago, my partner Officer Nick Nichols and I (Jeff Lamoureaux) responded to the worst radio call for help. We were the first officers on the scene and to this day wish I could have gotten to you (Matt) and (Greg) sooner. Rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten!

I also want to thank all of the agencies that assisted my department in the man hunt of the suspect. It was a truly amazing sign of brotherhood that is sometimes missing.

detective
burbank police department

November 15, 2011

Rest in Peace Officer Pavelka on this 8th Anniversary of your death. Know that you are not forgotten. You did your duty and your brothers and sisters in law enforcement did not rest until the outstanding suspect was in custody.
I heard the story of Matthew's murder and the manhunt for the second suspect several years ago at CNOA. What a tremendous story of dedication and tenacity by the Burbank Police Department and the U.S. Marshals.
Be safe and take care of your partners.

Sergeant Tim Helton (Ret.)
Modesto Police Department

November 15, 2011