Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Matt's family death is never easy,whether your 25 or 95.Not many people can say their loved one died a hero.When you walk to that final roll call wearing your badge you were a hero.

p.o.3 Walter Keeler Jr.
Metro Nashville P.D

September 20, 2004

God Bless You, Matt Rittenhouse, for your service, and dedication to your community. I know you will be by the side of each rookie as they venture forth in this career with the same desire and good will you possessed.

God Bless your family with strength, patience, and inner peace. My prayers are with you, your family, your friends, and your co-workers, who feel so lost and will dearly miss you. Rest, and enjoy the comfort of God's arms, Matt. You've done well.

The following has been passed along worldwide, and I gladly share it with you:

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
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 awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

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 a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

-Author Unknown

Deputy Sheriff, Road Patrol
Broward County Sheriff's Office

September 20, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Matt Rittenhouse. Having recently lost Deputy Mike Arruda (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

Rest in peace, Officer Rittenhouse. We applaud you for your dedication to duty and salute you for your sacrifice.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

September 20, 2004

Thank you for your service brother...you will not be forgotten.

Trooper
Florida Highway Patrol

September 20, 2004

God Bless our prayers and thoughts are with the family.

Officer J. Richardson
Lake Station PD

September 19, 2004

Officer Rittenhouse,
My heart & prayers go out to your family & friends. My husband - also a law enforcement officer - was also working the night Ivan came through our area and I know how worried I was about his safety. You will meet my first husband in heaven I'm sure & he can show you around as he's been there several years now. I will keep your family in my prayers as they have a very difficult time ahead of them.

Denise L. Jones (North Carolina)
Survivor of Trooper Calvin E. Taylor

September 19, 2004

Officer Rittenhouse, Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Your dedictation and service in a time of a natural disaster shows your dedication to your department and the public. Rest Easy Brother!

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

September 19, 2004

The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Association, are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Matt Rittenhouse.

Detective
Onondaga County Sheriff's Office (NY)

September 19, 2004

Your sarcifice will not be forgotten. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

September 19, 2004

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

September 19, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SENT OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER
RITTENHOUSE, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKER.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

September 19, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Matt did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Matt be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Rittenhouse's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Matt is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Matt was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Officer Rittenhouse for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

September 19, 2004

My deepest sympathy to the Rittenhouse family. You are in my prayers.

Robert Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Robert Gordon, Asst. Chief (Ret.)
Riverside PD, IL

September 19, 2004

On behalf of the Red Bank Police Department, our heart hurts for the family of Matt and the Harriman P.D. We know your pain and your hurt that each of you are feeling. We, as a department, had to deal with the same loss. May God give you strength and assurance during this very difficult time. Matt joins other officers who are resting in the glory of heaven. We will see him again. Thank you God for Matt Rittenhouse, his department, and his family. His life will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Steve Dillard
Red Bank P.D.

September 18, 2004

We are deeply saddened at Matt's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

September 18, 2004

to all of the family, friends, and co-workers all of you are in my prayers.
to matt you will never be forgoten. i got to know you for a short eight weeks at the academy but i made a friend and a brother for life. matt you are sadly missed, please watch over us while on our shifts and i will see you again patroling antoher "beat" again. rest for your watch is over, and thanks for the laughs,and memorys

Deputy / Chaplin Richard Tinch
Cumberland coutny sheriff's dept

September 18, 2004

Farewell for now Brother. Rest now in the presence of like kind. We are proud you are one of us. Be assured your loved ones are never alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

September 18, 2004

We extend our deepest sorrow and heartfelt prayers to the family and friends of officer Rittenhouse.

PO S.Harris #396
Cicero PD,Gang/Tactical Unit

September 18, 2004

Matt,
I just want you to tell you how wonderful you are. I do apologize for not staying in touch, or telling you sooner. I pray for your friends, your family and your department. Let God’s graces be upon them and help them through this difficult time. I know your watching over them and I pray that they feel the comfort in that. I bet you’ll even keep them straight with a swift kick in the rear when they step out of line. I often think about your stories of Europe, I finally got to see it and it’s as beautiful as you said it was. I love you man, we’ll see you soon. God bless you and keep you.
Your Friend,
Lisa

Senior Airman
United States Air Force Security Forces

September 18, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Matt Rittenhouse. We mourn your tragic loss.

Police Officer
Hunterdon County, New Jersey

September 18, 2004

God Bless you Matt. Keep a watchful eye over the rest of us continuing the battle. Rest easy, smile often, some day we will all find some meaning in your passing. See you when I get there.

Deputy Sheriff
Southern California

September 18, 2004

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Rittenhouse.

S.M. Gatineau ( Quebec, Canada )

September 18, 2004

I took the calls on your accident. I kept it together until I found out it was you. You were a great friend and a great officer. You will be missed greatly and loved always. Rest in peace my friend, for you've done your duty here.

Dispatcher Amanda Redmon
Roane County E911

September 18, 2004

The members of the 67th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit with to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Rittenhouse.

Having just lost two Detectives from our precinct last week, we know all to well what you are going through right now.

Stay strong. The law enforcement community is with you.

67th Precinct Anti-Crime Unit
New York City Police Department

September 18, 2004

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

September 18, 2004