Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Three years, I know it doesn't seem that long.
So many memories.
Thinking of you and your family.

Lorraine Bond

September 18, 2007

Thinking about you and your family during this difficult time.

Carol Espinoza
Mother of Officer Isaac Espinoza
E.O.W. 4/10/04

September 17, 2007

Your family and friends have weighed heavy on my heart this weekend. I can't believe it has been 3 years since you left this earth. And since Momma has gone to join you, I understand even more the daily struggle to survive without our loved one's joy and inspiration. Every day when I think of my Mom and I wish she were with me, I am inspired by your mom's strength. Each day she lives without you on this earth is an testament of her faith. May we remember everyday your laugh, your smile, and the joy you found in life...

Amy B McWilliams

September 17, 2007

I can’t believe it’s been 3 years. I tell everyone I know here in Utah Matt stories. You still make everyone laugh. I’m grateful for the time I spent with you and all the memories of you and the guys at the PD.

Amanda Godin
Former HPD 912

September 16, 2007

I miss you. I think about you all the time.

September 16, 2007

Matt, It has been 3 long years. I miss you more each day. Sometimes it seems like a long time and then it seems like only yesterday. You are still fresh in my memories. We will meet again on a special day, real special day. Till then know you will always be in my heart.
Bea

Bea

September 16, 2007

Matt,

Just wanted to let you know that you are missed so much by so many. I have enjoyed having your Dad with with us tremendously. You are always on patrol with us.

Jack Martin

Ptlm. Jack Martin
Harriman P.D.

September 16, 2007

Matt,

Just letting you know that Natalie and I are thinking of you.

Your Friend,

Timmy

Chief Deputy Tim Phillips
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2007

Matt, three years has flown by, and in other ways has crept to get here. We all remember where we were, and what we were doing when the news came. I was holding my new baby girl, she turned three Friday. I thought about your family a lot on Friday. As I watched my little girl run and play I felt guilty in some ways. We were all having fun celebrating a third birthday, while they were preparing for a third annivesary. I tried calling them today, but no answer. In ways it seems forever ago that we got a chance to talk to you. In others, it seems like yesterday we were at your services. I'm sure you know what good you did while you were here, but I bet you could have never dreamed of the impact you would have once you left. Day after day in Roane County people remember you and your life. I know a smile would come over your face knowing that every time many of us get in our personal or patrol cars there is a cross that resembles yours on our visors, a gift from your parents. I can't speak for everyone, but I know everytime I patrol I ask the Lord for his protection, and I remember the fallen, and you guys give me strength. September 16th is a date that we recall because that was the night you left. But it doesn't take September 16th or May 11th, for us to remember you Matt or your family. We remember everyday, in some little ways you are still all around us. Daily we pray for your family, and the safety of our brothers and sisters in blue. We know if you were here you would still be right beside us continuing to help keep us safe. Now you look down on us, knowing the glory and beauty that awaits all of God's believers. If we could talk to you today what a conversation that would be! We know we will see you again, we just don't know how long we will have to wait. Until then we will continue to remember, continue to pray, and never forget you. Be with your Dad, he has less than a month (yes some of us are counting the days for him). What an honor, he will walk the same isle as you, continuing your dedication. I know he will carry you with him through everything he does. We miss you buddy today, and each day...

Deputy Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2007

My heart just breaks reading all the reflections from loved ones. Officer Rittenhouse sounded like a great guy!! Another Hero taken too soon. My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers. May God Bless each one of you on the anniversary of his passing. Please continue to watch from above.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

September 16, 2007

There are no words. Only that I love you, Matt.

Jenny

September 15, 2007

Matt,

I still can't believe its been 3 years since you left us, I think about you and all the fun we used to have. I miss you and I love you.

Kasey

Ptlm. Kasey Mynatt
Friend Harriman Police Dept.

September 15, 2007

Just wanted to stop by and tell you and your family that I'm thinking of them and I will never forget the sacrifice that you all made on 9-16-04. Everyday is hard some just harder than others. Your mother sent me a picture of you sitting in your car I see it everyday. Keep watch over them, and keep the little signs coming, tomorrow is especially hard, just know that we will be thinking about all of you.
Tell Clint that we love all the signs he sends and to keep them coming...

Connie Barker Ft. Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker Prattville, Al. E.O.W. 1-14-04

September 15, 2007

Thinking of you and all of your family today and especially tomorrow. I will be riding with your parents to Jarrod's wedding today. I hope your mom and I can stay out of trouble! I'm thinking as much fun as your dad is, I believe you took after your mom. I have a blast with her. Just wanted to stop in and let you know, you are never forgotten.

Karen B. Joseph 933
Harriman Police Department

September 15, 2007

Just to let you and your family know that we remember all of you today and always. You are still missed and thought about often. Tell your mom not to be afraid of me. Her and Karen get loud in the office and I seem to scare her when I walk in. Keep the watch going and we'll see you again someday.

Major Benny Joseph
Harriman Police Department

September 15, 2007

My heart and mind is pounding so hard with memories it feels like that night in the emergency room at the hospital. SO many people in the halls, surrounding us, touching us, looking at us, everyone in shock, no one believing this could have happened to YOU. How it can be three years later is unbelievable to me. I see you...your smile, your big arms, the little blond spot in your hair, your tattoo, your swagger when you walked, the twinkle in your eyes, the bags under those eyes. I hear you...your wonderful laugh, your funny little giggle, telling me to "settle down Mom" when I am getting all bent out of shape about something, picking on your sisters, beeping me on your nextel and singing that awful Conway Twitty song, calling and wanting to talk to Daddy and still calling him Dadda. I feel you....I feel your strong arms around my shoulders, your vest while I lean against you, your kiss on my cheek. My heart will ALWAYS remember. My heart will always remember YOU...my Son...my Life....My Gift from God...Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse.

Momma

September 15, 2007

I love you Matthew.

Momma

September 14, 2007

Thank You

I don't understand why you had to go;
I guess God needed his angel back.
It's so hard for everyone who loves you;
It's hard for me 'cause you helped keep me on track.

You showed me the way and we talked of things,
You told me I could do better when no one else was near.
I wonder if you knew all of the good you did,
I wonder if you know you're worth all the tears.

I always looked to you with honor and respect;
You were a fair and humorous man.
You helped me, taught me, and made me laugh.
I can't wait to thank you when I see you again.

(a poem written to and in honor of: Matt Rittenhouse)

Miranda L. Henry
Matt's Friend

September 14, 2007

Just letting you know I stopped by to say I was thinking of you and your family as the anniversary of your passing nears. God bless you all, until we meet again...

Lori Johnson Rowley, wife of NC LEO
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04

September 11, 2007

Well, Matt it has been a while since I posted, I cry so hard when I get on to read and just can't put into word how I feel about you. I miss you. Last week my sister passed away and your Mom and Dad helped me so much. I needed flowers and most of the florist were closed, but Linda, God love her, made sure I had flowers for the funeral. They are soooo precious to me. They were blessed to have a son like you and you were blessed to have parent like you have. I love you and know you are watching over us always. Till then.......

Bea

September 7, 2007

I listened to bagpipes play Amazing Grace for one of your brothers in blue today. I do not see how the human heart keeps beating when the pain is so great. I looked at the sunset tonight picturing you on the other side of it, needing to see your precious face, needing to see your smile, just needing you.

My precious, beloved, son, I love you.

Momma

September 6, 2007

Some days are just really hard, and I try to think about good things in hopes that the bad will wash away. Days like today, I think about you and all the times we laughed together and all the smiles you put on my face. I have other people who have entered my life since you left, but they will never replace the spot I have in my heart for you. You will live there always. I love you, and thank you for being an amazing friend, always.

September 1, 2007

Well I'm exactly 2 weeks away from my trip to England and Ireland. I'm so excited about going over there. I'm already getting things packed including your picture and pin. As soon as I find a cross that reminds me of you (which most all of them do) I'll leave your picture and pin there by it. I wish you could be around so I could aggravate you about going. I miss you man!

Amanda Redmon

August 30, 2007

I miss you more everyday!! You have a wonderful family..Ive gotten to know your parents pretty good over the last few months while helping out with the marathon and the fundraisers for the Fallen Officers Memorial Wall. I now know where you got your sence of humor..your dad is quiet the character..and your mom is the sweetest woman I have ever met. I miss seeing your smiling face..and ill never forget all those nights you came thru the dt at mickey ds. You could always make me laugh no matter what kind of day I might of been having..I sooo miss that. I Love and miss you more everyday!!

Vickie Puckett
Friend

August 28, 2007

Matt-
I've been so sick. Yeah, again. And you know how when you get past the point where you should go to the Dr. but you just think you can power through it... then your mind starts playing weird games and at night the dreams get more and more bizarre. My dreams have been terrifying the last few days. Some very scary and other just super strange.

So to back up a little (my stories AWLAYS have a backstory-and you love it!) I was realizing the other day how life gets rolling along at times and days pass and there might be a week or ten days when I have heard nothing of or from Jessica. So then I say, in an off-hand way, to mom "What's Jessica doing?" or "Where's Jessica been?" The response is usually the same-- working, studying, house-sitting, car broke down...

Really, not much to this conversation. It happens periodically and ends with a nod of the head or some other mundane reaction.

So I don't think I am actually dreaming it, but rather in the middle of the night when I am half alert, but not quite conscious I 'dream' that I keep trying to have this regular, mundane, boring conversation about you. The thing is, I suppose, is that I NEVER say these things anymore about you. And I want to say these things. I want to say them in the most off-hand way. I want to hear a casual response- taken for granted like we say every day about each other.

I'm rambling on and I know that it's partly because I don't feel well. I'll probably wish tomorrow I had just stopped typing. I just want simple back. Regular, every day, same old. Some people will misunderstand if I say boring. I miss the weird things.

On a side note, Olivia's birthday will be this weekend. You always showed up in the middle and fell asleep halfway through due to your crazy midnight shifts and overtime. Yeah, I miss that too.

I love you. We all do. Can't hardly stand sending Ella to Kindergarten without telling you all the funny and precious stories. She's amazing. They both are. And they know you love them. The most important thing of all still makes it through.

Jenny

August 22, 2007