Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

May God be with the family and fellow officers during this time and help them with this tradgedy.Another warrior has fallen. As all other Fallen officers, Officer Rittenhouse will never be forgotten. As the thin blue line continues the prayers of the Clinton PD officers go out to the family and friends.
God Speed Brother.

Lt. R. Mark Moore
Clinton Police Department, TN

September 17, 2004

Other that a great police officer you were a great friend I always knew as well as all officers that worked with you, that when a job got tough you would be there to lighten the situation with you laughter and smile Brother you will be missed and we know that you are with us every step we take in this job

John Mayes/Christy Prevo
Roane County Sheriff Department

September 17, 2004

To those I Love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen wih your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

In memory of a great friend that we lost on 5/19/03

PCSD Friend

September 17, 2004

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
This was written by an unknown author.

Jim Moore
New Orleans PD, Retired

September 17, 2004

May God bless your family and department during this time. With Compassion and love from all your Tennessee Troopers

Tennessee State Trooper
Tennessee State Patrol

September 17, 2004

My deepest sympathies to Officer Rittenhouse's family, friends and fellow officers. Your dept. is always in my mind as it is where my family is originally from and where my grandmother retired to.
Im always sadden to hear about the loss of a fellow brothern of law enforcement.

Patrolman Paul Creekmore
Naperville Park District Police

September 17, 2004

America Lost another hero today, Officer Rittenhouse was doing a job he loved, when he was taken from us. to the friends and family please turn to God for confort.

Sgt. W. M. Riley
Aragon Ga PD.

September 17, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with the family Of Officer Matt Rittenhouse. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God" Matthew 5:9

Explorer Evan Hodge
Marietta Police Explorers

September 17, 2004

To the family and co-workers of Officer Matt Rittenhouse,
We are so saddened by your loss. Please reach to God during this time of immense sorrow, He will help you through your unbearable grief.

"Let's Stay Safe Out There."
T&S/1234ever

MWAA PD

September 17, 2004

Thank you for your service sir. Rest in peace.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County, Illinois Sheriff's Dept.

September 17, 2004

Rest in peace, Officer. Thank you for your service.

Michigan Resident

September 17, 2004

Officer Rittenhouse, you are in our thoughts and prayers, as is your family, friends and fellow officers. Rest in peace, Sir.

Sgt. Al Whitney
Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Yuma, AZ

September 17, 2004

May god bless you and your family during this tragic time. Rest in peace.

Leo Wife
St Petersburg, Fl

September 17, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Officer Matt Rittenhouse. Thank you for your service. You will never be forgotten.

Lt Thomas Drury
Clare City P.D. Michigan

September 17, 2004

It is so sad to hear of the passing of Officer Rittenhouse. May God be with him and his family. they are all in our hearts and prayers.

Deputy Rick Wiggins
Loudon County Sheriffs Department

September 17, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

September 17, 2004