Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ethan had his 9th birthday last week, if it is possible, he just gets sweeter and sweeter, but oh boy, he is still ALL marvelous boy. He delights in making me laugh and I am proud to oblige him, sometimes to the chagrin of his mom :). I just can't help it, I laugh at him like I laughed at you and your antics. It's one of the things that makes life still worth living. His family birthday party was at the clubhouse, I can never be there without seeing you and him running across the field playing football.......you huge.........Ethan so little........but a perfect pair and a moment of pure happiness and delight. I love you my precious son and thank you for every moment you gave me of being your momma.

Momma

March 8, 2008

Dear Matt,
I love you so much and miss you so much, you will always rock my polkie-dotted soxs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

olivia
little cousin

February 29, 2008

I was moving into my house last week, and going through all my stuff that I hadnt unpacked since I left my apartment in Harriman over two years ago. I found a picture frame that had a picture of you making a goofy face, of course. I want you to konw that your picture is again proudly displayed on my computer desk. I will keep it there so every day I have a small reminder of you and the sacrifice you made. Matt rest assured you will never be forgotten.

JJ

February 29, 2008

How can you be gone.

February 28, 2008

*Ring-Ring-
"Hello?"
"Jessica, it's Jenny. Did you put that Ben Fold's song on Matt's reflections?"
"Jenny, as surely as I am wearing flip flops in February, I did not put that song on our dear brother's reflection page."

Matt was born into a crazy family...I followed on his heels. Glad I did.
I LOVE THIS FAMILY!

Jessica *lil sis*

February 18, 2008

Mom- Ben Folds Five is a musical group Jessica and I have loved for years and if I were to bet, I would bet it might be her that left that reflection. Although I could surely be just as wrong...let's call her.

Jenny

February 17, 2008

So, ok, you know I read these reflections and the ones that I don't know the story behind drive me crazy and I can't leave it alone until I come to some conclusion, real or not. I have no idea who the group Ben Folds Five is, actually never even heard of them, but I get on the internet and look them up. The first thing that pops up is the page that says "mattsmusicpage" , that's all I need...
my sign.....then it says lyrics for Ben Folds songs, so I start looking only at the ones listed for 2004, the first album I click on has a song "Rent A Cop", not believing it I click on that and read the lyrics and laugh the entire time. OK, I don't think that is the song referenced in the reflection, so I start randomly picking songs to read, most make me cry. I can so see and hear your attitude toward life in them, then I run across one that is probably still not the one but I have to print it off so I can copy it here. You had such a way of living your life, matter of fact, cutting through the chase, here it was,here you were.
I cling to that part of you and miss it as much or more than anything. So, I take this song from you to me today. I love you Son of My Life and thank you for everything you were and are, forever and always.


Learn to Live With What You Are

I know that you're in there
I can see you
You're saying you're okay
I don't believe you

And now that the gig is up, the spell is broken
The fat lady's sung, the president has spoken
These days that you were waiting for will come and go
Like any day, just another day.

There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
While the world is watching, ohh ohh
Ohh, all you need is the thing you've forgotten
And that's to learn to live with what you are

So freak out if you wanna
And I'll still be here
Don't call me for years and when you do
Yeah, I'll still be here

And I'm not saying that the effort
is a waste of time, but I
Just want you for the things you couldn't change,
but you tried

Everything does

There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
While the world is watching, ohh ohh
Ohh, all you need is the thing you've forgotten
And that's to learn to live with what you are

Sometimes everything you've ever wanted floats above
It's stickin' out its tongue and laughing while
Everything that anyone could ever need is down below
Waiting for you, know this

There's never gonna be a moment of truth for you
While the world is watching, ohh ohh
'Cause all you need is the thing you've forgotten
And that's to learn to live with what you are
You've got to learn to live with what you are
You've got to learn to live with what you...

Are

February 16, 2008

Well, we got through another one Son............Valentine Day 2008 is officially over and done with. I know you totally understand what I mean, but you know what, it was not SO horrible this year. I missed hearing you tell me to settle down, and Jessica skipped out on us and went to California, so there was that hole that there always is when the five of us not together during a big family event. It helped to be surrounded by your friends that are always here for us. Kasey,(he was as sick as a dog but he came through as always;John Mayes, I was remembering when I first met him was when you talked him into delivering one holiday for us,he said it was 1999, he always stays til the very end.........I love my boys you brought into my life ( and girls :) This year there was Angie, BJ's wife, what a sweetie....Just jumped right in like she was a pro at it, smiled the entire time;and Jessica and Vickie, always willing to do anything and everything they can to make life a little happier and easier for us. This is how we make it through, the people that love you, love us and hold us up and keep us going. You also know the funny visitor I had in the middle of the afternoon. That was a hoot. I can't go into any more detail than that :). THEN, Karen brought LoLaw over and we went up to your hill and took pictures and visited, what a crazy life, thank goodness there are those precious dear friends that allow us to keep you right in the middle of our lives AND their lives.
Well anyway, I love you, I miss you, nothing changes that or ever will. My precious son.

Momma

February 15, 2008

The memories are overflowing this week--the rainbow, that Ben Folds Five song I haven't been able to listen to since then, a dozen roses, your toothbrush in the wet, dirty drive, being squeezed in that old truck with me in the middle and you trying to shift gears, that smile that made everything in the world ok...I miss you

February 15, 2008

My lord where does the time go? I haven't visited here in so long and I feel awful for it. I've been caught up in my own world I guess. I really wish you could have been here to make me smile during some of my really rough times I've been having. I really look forward to getting to talk to you again when we meet in heaven. Thank you for being my friend.

Miss you everyday,
Amanda

Amanda Redmon
Friend

February 15, 2008

Thanks for the gift today. A little girl just left (of course you know that means she was in her twenties :)She said I saw Matt's picture on your shop door, and then she hesitated, and I said yes, I'm his momma. She kind of laughed then and said he was the first boy I ever kissed......we were in the 5th grade. Then she gave me a hug and left. So now I am laughing while I am crying. To think that you were kissing somebody in the 5th grade and that I am only finding out about it now. In my defense, or yours, she said it was during the game of spin the bottle.

I love you.

Momma

February 1, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 29, 2008

Matt, just sitting here and thought about you. I miss you every day, there is not a day goes by without thinking about you. Sometimes at work I think of something you did and start to laugh and co-workers think I have "lost it" but hey we know why. Just wanted u to know I still miss and love ya. Keep your eye on us, we sure need it.....

Miss Bea

January 23, 2008

Hey Officer Rittenhouse, I just wanted to thank Linda (your mother) for the reflection she left on my sons site. You know she sent me a picture of you and I to still have that picture in a frame in my living room.
I know you are so proud of your father, I've been reading all about his great accomplishment, another Officer Rittenhouse. Congradulation Jess what an Honor:o)

Matt we will never forget the sacrifice you made on Setember 16th and the sacrifice your family makes everyday without you here. I still have my blue candles that burn 24/7 in memory of all L.E.O.'s.

Connie Barker F.W.B. Fl.
Mother of Clint Walker Prattville Al. E.O.W. 1-14-04

January 22, 2008

HI matt

just thinking about you missing the laughs. Im kinda outta the loop right now just heard about your dad. think thats great he graduated the academy. God bless

Sam Harvey
friend (former officer)

January 17, 2008

matt-
you moved to heaven.
i moved to california.
i love you.
jessica

'lil sis

January 14, 2008

The rain falling was the tears of angels as they carried you home.

Just thinking of you,
Remembering you.

A friend

January 11, 2008

Hey Matt,

I watched your dad graduate the academy lastweek, I am so proud of him and I know you are too. He is going to make a great officer just as you were. There were so many of us there to see him graduate, other people were watching us take pictures and some even took our picture. You could tell that Jess was loved and respected by his other classmates as they said their goodbyes. I know you are watching over him and all of us, just so you know, I have his back too.

I love you, you will always be my best friendm
Kasey

Patrolman Kasey Mynatt
Harriman Police Dept.

December 28, 2007

Dearest Son of My Life,

It's Christmas Eve and I'm sitting here in the shop listening to the radio play Christmas songs and just remembering. O Holy Night just finished and I was thinking how it is all about a son being born, a beautiful, precious baby boy, that changed the world. You changed my world... you and your two precious sisters.....My babies....My life. And you continue to change my world. Your strength, your love, your joy give me the strength to go on when I don't want to any longer. I hear you say Mom I'm right here beside you....always...and I have to believe that....like I always believed whatever you were telling me (yes, we all know how ridiculous that was but whatever :), I DO know you will not leave me alone.

Dad's graduation was so wonderful, he was so happy, he beamed the entire time, if only you had been there, but I console myself with the fact that you were. Right beside him as he recieved his diploma, took every test (and did marvelous, thank you very much), ran the courses (fast as ever), told your story to the guys, and received strength and support from them as they laughed and cried with him, and got to truly experience academy as you did. What an honor. I am so proud of both of you, how amazing to have such men in my life. I know you will be riding with him and guiding him, what a blessing.

Merry Christmas Matthew, Gift from God.
I love you more than the world,
Forever and Always,
To eternity and beyond.

Momma

December 24, 2007

I missed you so badly yesterday. I wanted so much to talk to you about what Dad has accomplished- it really is amazing what he has done. So many of your friends and co-workers were there for the ceremony to support him... I think we were by far the largest group. Scott said other people were even taking pictures of us we were such a big group. I had not noticed.

I would never take you out of heaven and have you be in this crazy, messed up world again, but I would have done anything to have had you there. Can you believe how great Dad did? (I'm not joking, Dad, you kicked butt)

Chief Joe came. It had not really occured to me that he would make that big trip down. But I realize now that of course he would come. He came for you. For Dad.

I am so glad there is no time in heaven- because as quickly as you blink your eyes Matt I will be right there with you and we can talk all we want about everything that has happened. The waiting is terrible for us, but we are living through it and trying hard to get to you. I can't wait to hear what all you have to say.

I love you.

Jenny

December 21, 2007

Matt, i had the honor of spending the last ten weeks with your father. He is a wonderful man and he misses you greatly. I know you are smiling down upon him from heaven as he starts his watch. Your family will always be in my prayers! TLETA class # 1328

Deputy Tim Moss
Benton County Sheriff's Dept.

December 20, 2007

matt...dad graduated from academy today...you know it was so emotional...i made sure to tell him that we're all really proud of him...you, me, and jenny---but i know you especially are. i'm so thankful that so many friends from HPD and RCSO came to support him...and i'm so thankful to call you my brother...forever.

jess

'lil sis

December 20, 2007

Today I had the pleasure of graduating the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy with Matthew’s father Mr. Jesse Rittenhouse. Mr. Rittenhouse demonstrated calmness under extreme pressure a positive attitude and served as a mentor and role model to many young officers during this tough 10-week academy. I imagine Matthew had the same characteristics as his father and was a real asset to his department. I second-guessed myself several times during the 10 weeks but after talking to Mr. Rittenhouse and hearing him speak of his son and his faith in God, I knew I would never doubt my self again. Jesse and Matthew are the real life version of the Twin Towers. I wish Mr. Rittenhouse nothing but the best in his career. Until we meet again may God watch over you and your family.

Deputy Kristian Wernet
Williamson County Sheriffs Department

December 20, 2007

I love you and miss you so much.

Momma

December 7, 2007

Hey Matt,

I went in your parents shop and got another one of your pins. I lost the shirt that had the other one on it. I just wanted you to know I will never forget you. You were a good friend.

Your friend from the Rocky Top

December 5, 2007