Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Valentine's Day My Beautiful Smiling Eyes.

Wish you were here at the shop to help make it better and worse all at the same time.....You know what I mean!! :)
Can't hardly stand to do the holidays without you. I just sat and looked at your beautiful face while I made hundreds of bows the last couple of weeks and imagined the conversations we would be having. I told daddy the other day I need you to tell me to settle down. You always thought it was so funny for some reason when I would be freaking out on a holiday.

You are forever a part of my heart and soul.....that is what keeps me going.

I love you,
Momma

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Fallen Officer Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004

February 14, 2012

Officer Rittenhouse reminds me of my own son who is also in Law Enforcement. I am retiring in 2 weeks after over 32 years in Law Enforcement. I am a former Marine with a two year tour in Vietnam. I have lost fellow Officers and Marines during my career. I have read many, many inpsirational reflections for our fallen Officers. However, none have touched me more than the reflections for Officer Rittenhouse. Maybe he reminds me of my son, who knows. I only know his mother, sister and family will always feel the pain of losing one so loved and dear to them. To the family of Matt, you are not alone, Matt is with you, I know he is. God bless you Officer Rittenhouse, even in your passing you have made an impact on those of us that only knew you from the reflections left by others. Matt continue to surround your dear mother, sis and your fellow officers and friends with your presence and love. It is everlasting. Rest in peace sir. Thank you. Semper Fi.

Special Agent T.D.Holcomb
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police

January 22, 2012

Just reading over your reflections, and know how much your family, friends and co-workers miss you. Thanks to your Mom for posting on Clint's page, and Linda I still have Matt's picture next to Clint's also, I too think of Matt often and know they are in Heaven watching over their families.
We will always remember your families scarifice, and remember Matt always, Matt you and Clint watch over all your L.E.O.'s down here...

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

January 12, 2012

Jess and I got all but the one backpack given out- I still have the last one...I don't think it matters much that Christmas has passed. There didn't need to be a holiday for you to do something thoughtful or charitable, so I am sure it is fine to get it delivered sometime this winter.

I wish this holiday had been less hectic- it was a stuggle to feel the 'spirit' of it with so much going on--I still have my live tree up because it is only now beginning to feel like Christmas to me...I love you and you are never far. Thank you for helping me re-focus.

Jenny

January 7, 2012

Matt you are not forgotten in this town. Hope you know what you mean to all of us still down here. Rest in Peace Brother.

Friend

January 6, 2012

Thank you Agent Holcomb for your kind comforting words.

Linda Rittenhouse
Mother of Fallen Officer Matthew Rittenhouse 9/16/2004

January 2, 2012

Officer Rittenhouse is a much beloved Son, Friend and Police Officer that is still missed and loved by all. It has to be said that Officer Rittenhouse's short time he was allowed to spend with his friends and family left a legacy of kinship with is fellow Officer's, love from his sister and the everlasting love and compassion only a mother could feel from losing one so dear to her. I know Matt's presence is always there with his family, he is still protecting Sis and Mom, he always will. Rest in Peace Matt, you sir are a true hero...period.

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police

December 31, 2011

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this blessed holiday. I know that Christmas has been changed forever in the hearts of those that love you so much. Even though you are not here, I know they have that special place set for you at the table and talk about you with love and respect. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones. You have not been forgotten.

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

December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas My Smiling Eyes,
Another Christmas Eve... getting ready to shut the shop. Had a few tears a little while ago, missing you and your sweetness and funny antics. The girls are running around together and it made me sad that we are not whole here on earth. But nothing can take you and your love from us. I love you, I miss you, forever and always..........to eternity and beyond. You are my gift and my blessing.

Momma

December 24, 2011

Loving you always.
Thank you for the wonderful dream and message the other night. Can't wait to see you.

Momma

December 8, 2011

I am from....

I am from stuffed animals and books
to mops and brooms.

I am from the flowers in the front yard
that hardly ever grew.
so colorful, they were like a sunset.

I'm from the lake that shines at night,
a perfect creation,
that was right across the street.

I'm from laughing and smiling,
to those priceless long talks
with momma and grandma.

I'm from "I love you' to 'Make a hundred",
"Remember the Alamo", and "Keep America Free!"

I'm from "Amazing Grace" and saying my bedtime prayers,
tracing my hands to make a card for my parents.

I'm from Julie and James' lives,
chicken and ham, macaroni and cheese
to chocolate milkshakes.

I'm from a cousin and grandpa meeting the Lord,
to a sibling being born,
and lives being transformed.

I'm from my journal in my desk,
to pictures in my scrapbooks.
They are a warm breeze;
a refreshing sense of control when I think back to those times.

I am from those times,
those times that have made me who I am today,
and those times, are what get me through the day,
knowing everything will be okay.

I love you Matt.

Olivia Hardie
Cousin

September 25, 2011

Please forgive me for being late in leaving a reflection. I know your Mom will understand and know that there are some days we can come to this site and leave reflections all day long and there are other times you just can't and have to leave because you become so upset. I know that before you were called away from duty, time was measured as back then, now it is measured in time before your death and after your death and it feels as if the present is a place with time standing still. Some will say, it feels like just yesterday that you were here, to those that love you the most if feels like a lifetime since they were able to hear your voice, your laugh and feel your warm touch. The only thing that all of your loved ones can do is take one day at a time and keep your memory alive. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and let them feel your presence. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

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

September 24, 2011

Hey Matt,

Watched your DVD last night, wow laughed my head off then the tears came. How can it be 7 years, how are we doing this without you. But we are not are we, you are right here.

Miss you, Love you

KS

September 17, 2011

loving you fiercely, missing you deeply...it's what i do. i can hardly explain, and surely i would not do justice in trying to explain the depth of either.

mom surprised me and came up to stay the night last night. of course, i thought something must be wrong when she texted me and asked if i was coming home...because she was in my driveway. i was relieved when i pulled the car in behind her van and she opened the door laughing. shew. we had the best time watching old videos and laughing and telling stories about the five of us...always the five of us. Later in the night, right before i went to sleep, i read some writings of yours. that's when i lost it. because it was like i could hear your voice straight from those pages...as if i could feel your breath as you said those words. what a man you were, not in the sense that women say "oh, he's such a maaan" meaning you leave the toilet seat up and you forget important dates...but in the sense that you knew and understood what was important, you cherished people, and you were still able to kick anyone's ass that messed with anyone you loved or anyone who was ijit enough to try to hurt other people.

yes, i am missing you...i keep wondering what it would be like to have you call, or to see you walk through my front door. silly maybe, but imaginations can be tricky sometimes.

jessica
'lil sis

September 16, 2011

A bee stung me tonight at our family dinner for you. In the restaurant. A bee. What the heck. Thanks for that...was that because I did not tackle the elderly man who picked up the penny you left for me at the gas station? Ethan thinks so... Next time I will try harder. I did get the other ones almost every day since last week.

Ella asked me yesterday how old was she when Uncle Matt died? When I told her, you were two, honey, she said "oh, then that's why I can't remember him anymore". I felt my heart start breaking, but then a strength came- I know it was you reminding me that this is only temporary- we learn what we can while we are here...we do what we can while we are here- and then we move forward...to our REAL home. Where we are never separated, we never forget and we never die.

I am so thankful tonight that our love continues to cross the years and the miles of time-our hearts forever connected.

Jenny Rittenhouse-Guinn

September 16, 2011

Just thinking about you today Matt. I stopped and visited with your mom and dad today. Always thining about you buddy.

Chief Deputy Tim Phillips
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2011

Thinking about you today Matt and many other days. Harriman is not the same without you.......no way it could be.

Miss you Brother.

Rest in Peace.

Former HPD Officer

September 16, 2011

I just sat down at work, looked at my phone, and saw what today was. All those memories of the phone calls I took that night just come rushing back as if it was yesterday. But above the bad memories of that night, the good ones overshadow them all. I can hear you makes jokes and aggravating me over the radio. Sometimes I'll see someone who reminds me so much of you that I want to run up and give them a hug. I miss you so much.

Amanda (Redmon) Cofer

September 16, 2011

My Beautiful Son what can I say without sounding like a broken record......but even that thought reminds me of how you all would say "you already told me that" as I would feel the need to repeat and repeat motherly "advice" concerning all the myriad of things that mothers MUST say or we would not be good mothers.....right?. I can see you smiling and rolling your eyes, now if you would just put your arm around my shoulder I can continue to go on. Oh my word how I love you and your sisters. Life has only been sweeter by having you three. I found a new verse the other day that I stuck up on the wall (with the hundred other pictures and verses that are paper clipped and scotch taped one to the other because once they are there they don't come down :); it says "Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven". How true that is; and even more so now that my hands are literally held by both places.

Kasey and Matti have been visiting us at the shop.....what a doll.....just smiles......and wants her daddy to hold her all the time. He shared "the rest of the story" about the adventure of the durango when dad and I went to Ireland to visit Jessica. I should have known there was way more to that story then the one we got when we got back and you said you decided to get it worked on for us while we were gone....WAY MORE...love it and love you......how was I so lucky and blessed to be YOUR mother.

I need you more than ever and know you are right here beside me; we all need you and love you and miss you; it will only be right again when we are all back in each others arms.

Momma

September 15, 2011

Thinking of you and your family this week.

Karen
HPD

September 14, 2011

Thinking of you and your wonderful family this week...You and your family are thought of often. I pray that God brings them comfort over the next few days...

Tonya Sitzlar
Friend

September 11, 2011

Matt & family, On the eve of hurricane Irene I researched those brethern lost in past storms and found you. I had to
leave a reflection because some of your family are close friends and reside in Santa Cruz, CA. I do not know of the
family connection but the Rittenhouse name was enough for me to take pause and pray for your soul and those of other lost brethern. Rest well in Paradise brother.

Lt Bob Hedgpeth (Ret)
Santa Clara Co Sheriff

August 28, 2011

I love you. I miss you.

Momma

August 11, 2011

Officer Rittenhouse, again I find myself visiting your memorial page and reflecting on the joy you brought to your family, friends and mostly your loving Mother. We can only imagine the joy, love and kindess your life on this earth could have brought to others that did not have the honor or pleasure of knowing you. You are truely an inspiration to all Officers who still wear the badge and hold the truely thin blue line. I am postivie your spirit lives within your Mother and shines in her smile bringing joy to others. You, sir, will not be forgotton, you made a difference in this world, I know you will make a difference in the world you are in now. Rest Officer Rittenhouse, your race is run. You won.

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police

May 16, 2011

May 15th, Law Enforcement Memorial Day

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this special day and every day. Continue to watch over all of them. I want to leave the following quote for your Mom that someone recently sent to me for I know she will understand.

"Do not judge the bereaved mother... She comes in many forms...She is breathing, but she is dying...She may look young, but inside she has become ancient...She smiles, but her heart sobs...She walks, she talks, she cooks, she cleans, she works, she IS, but she IS NOT, all at once...She is here, but part of her is elsewhere for eternity." Author Unknown

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

May 14, 2011