Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I miss you. I miss Sarge. I miss Grandpa and everybody else who is gone. I am just struggling and very upset with the way the world is looking right now and wanting it to be better and nicer and easier. I hope your world is better and nicer and easier...because I love you and you deserve that.

Jenny

December 11, 2012

I am picturing Sarge bounding around heaven with you. I told him to tell you I love you when he got there. Precious little dog, we all cried buckets but it was time to let him go back to you. Thank you for always trying to make things better for all of us; I will always treasure the picture in my heart and mind of you rounding the corner in your patrol car with him looking out the window.....bringing me a "new" dog that I didn't even know I wanted :). I just know I need and want and have to see you again. Soon.

Loving you forever.

Momma

Momma

December 8, 2012

Thanks for the funny adventure in your car this weekend with your sisters and for having a part in making sure things worked out for us. We love you and miss you so much.

Momma (with Jenny and Jessica)

Mom

December 2, 2012

My Precious Son I am so thankful for every second I had with you, I hold on to the hope and the promise that one day eternity will connect us all again and I will feel your beautiful big arms around me and get another kiss on the top of my head. Perfection will once again be restored to my heart.

On this Thanksgiving Eve I thank God for the gift of YOU.

Loving you forever and always, to eternity and beyond.

Momma

November 21, 2012

i got to thinkin about you & our family tonight & how much my life has changed in such a short time. Miss & love you more than anything. give grandpa a hug for me too :)

Olivia

November 12, 2012

Ok, this is funny, I just had to tell you....
A little boy just came in the shop (little meaning late teens or early twenties lol) to get a rose. After which he said "I got up late and am supposed to meet my date in 30 minutes and I can't get my sleeves rolled up right, will you help me?". Well you know how I loved that:) I got his sleeves situated and patted his arms about three times and said"'thanks, I haven't had a boy to take care of in a long time". I don't know which of us thought it was funnier. Made my day though. Just had to tell you, but I think you were already up there laughing at your crazy mom .

Love you MORE THAN THE WORLD!!!!!!!

Momma

November 2, 2012

Little Did We Know That Morning
Little did we know that morning
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

Former Sgt. Amanda Godin
Former HPD

October 17, 2012

Thank you for my beautiful birthday card, I wept for everything as I read it. I woke up this morning thinking of you as I do every morning, picturing your beautiful smiling face and remembering all the cards you have given me over the years.....for such a funny boy you were very sentimental and 99 percent of your cards reflected that. You ALWAYS told me I was the best Mom in the world and that you loved me. I hold on to those memories now and the hope that I will hear you say that again some day. Forever and Always you are the son of my Life and I love you to eternity and beyond.

Momma

October 16, 2012

I will always remember you my friend. Miss you so much today and always. Love you. And love all the Rittenhouse family.

jennifer russell
friend

September 17, 2012

Just thinking about you and wishing that you were here. You will always be missed.

Chief Deputy Tim Phillips
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2012

Matt,

I can't believe it's been 8 years. Seems like it was yesterday we were meeting at Cracker Barrel on Sunday morning after working all night. You'd order the country boy breakfast and put A1 on your biscuits and gravy. I miss you! I'll be praying for your family today.

Amanda Cofer

September 16, 2012

Thinking of you.

karen

September 16, 2012

Another anniversary date of you being called away from duty has arrived and I know the emotional drain this day has on all of your loved ones. Continue to wrap your wings around all of your loved ones to protect them from harm and also help them with their grief. You will never be forgotten as true heroes never die.

"No person is ever truly alone.
Those who live no more,
Whom we loved,
Echo still within out thoughts,
Our words, our hearts.
And what they did,
And who they were,
Becomes a part of all that we are,
Forever."
Poem by Richard Fife

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

September 16, 2012

Linda, thinking of your cherished Matt today and remembering his service to his community. I know that he is loved, missed, and longed for by his family today and every day that passes. Our beloved sons are forever in our hearts, forever in our souls...how blessed we were to have them.
I am praying for solace for all that called him beloved.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 16, 2012

Thinking of your loved ones today, particularly your Mom. Eight long years apart from her precious son. The passage of so many years is bittersweet. Each year takes her farther from the last embrace, yet brings her closer to the time she will be with you again.

Norie Haas
Mom of Deputy Brian A. Haas

September 16, 2012

One of my favorite books has a line that says, There's a fine edge to new grief, it severs nerves, disconnects reality-there's mercy in a sharp blade. Only with time, as the edge wears, does the real ache begin. I always thought that time would lessen the pain but it seems like the memories get stronger as each year goes by. I try to keep his memory alive even with those who have never met him. I had a lady come up to me at my kids school who said I know you, you taught a Criminal Justice class at CEU a few years ago. You showed us a video of Matt and it made me cry. It makes me feel good to bring his story and life to people who otherwise wouldn't have ever met him.
Linda I'm so grateful that you brought him into this world. I'm so grateful for all the memories I have of him (and for all the times he saved my butt when I got myself into a s**t storm of trouble). Thank you for the package with the Irish Blessing Medallion, dvd and the note. You have no idea how much those kind words warmed my heart.
Matt you'll always be my brother in blue and it'll never be goodbye, its just see you later, in a better place. I miss having someone to say 10-35 103.5 to everytime certain trigger songs play. In valor there is hope and your sacrifice was the greatest possible. I can't wait to see you again and to hear you laugh and get a big bear hug. Then we can figure out who to pick on meow. Love you 920!

Amanda Godin former Sgt. 912
HPD

September 16, 2012

Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day. You so loved what you did and I am thankful that you got to do what you loved. You are remembered by everyone that ever came into contact with you and those that only knew of you. I am thankful that you were given to us and the world. I am thankful for your brothers and sisters in blue that continue to serve day and night never knowing what the next minute might bring into their lives. Thank you to all of you that protect us and serve us. I am PROUD to be forever part of the Family of Blue.

Momma

September 15, 2012

Got up during the night and put your video in........thanks for being right there beside me as I laughed and cried my way through it. How wonderful to be able to look at you and hear you just going about your job and your life. So professional and respectful when you should be, so wonderfully crazy and funny when you could be. I thank you for every second that you gave me as your mom.

Momma

September 11, 2012

Linda,
Remembering you today and Jesse.
It has been almost 8 years and today I know that hurt and pain that you experienced 8 years ago.
Right now I am experiencing the morning after and the tears are flowing again. The reality again is setting in that we will not have our sons for the rest of our lives here on this earth.
God bless you Linda and may He continue to confort you.
Love

Lorraine Bond

September 7, 2012

After retiring as a Special Agent with a Major Railroad, I have never forgotten Officer Rittenhouse and his devoted family and friends who refuse to let Officer Rittenhouse be forgotten. God Bless you. I have visited this site on several occassions and have left comments. This is my first visit back since retirement. Again, the comments and thoughts from your family and friends is an inspiration to all of the Law Enforcement Community. Officer Rittenhouse, you sir have been the given the unique ability to bring perfect strangers into your circle of compassion, love, respect and loyalty shown by others who indeed knew you personally. Your loving Mother, Sis and other family members as well as your devoted friends and fellow officers have shown the rest of us what a truly great officer your are, your loyalty to your friends and certainly the everlasting love for your mother and sis and family. Again, rest in peace my good freind you did make a difference during the precious short time you had in this world, I know you will continue with spreading your love and compassion with the blue angels. Continue to watch over your Mother by sending her little hints that only a Mother would recognize and appreciate.

Special Agent(retired) T.D. Holcomb
Norfolk Southern Railroad

August 29, 2012

I love you Matthew.

Momma

August 17, 2012

Went up on your hill this week, just thinking about old times. Some things never change. Wish you were here to lighten things up. See you someday. Until then..........

A Friend
Harriman

August 8, 2012

Daddy and I have talked all morning about our three precious children and how blessed we are to have you all. Father's Day is tomorrow and tho we will not be able to 'see' you, you will be as close to us as if we could. Thanks for directing me to the card that you got for DaDa, it's perfect (irreverent and filled with love!) Love you forever, to eternity and beyond, My Son, My Life.

Momma

June 16, 2012

Memorial Day is this weekend and a big celebration is planned at church with all the family coming in. Daddy has been very down the last couple of days I know he is missing you terribly. Every second of every day our hearts are filled with memories; they make us laugh and cry, but thank God for them. You are always in everything we do, my perfect three.....Jenny, Matthew, Jessica. Always and forever I love you.

Mom

May 25, 2012

Thinking of Matt, his mom and all his loved ones.

~~~When Tomorrow Starts Without Me~~~

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready in Heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for and so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized that this could never be, for emptiness and memories would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things I'd miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you. Today for life on earth is past but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free, so won't you take my hand and share my life with me?" So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right there in your heart.

Author unknown

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 21, 2012