Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words that can ease the pain but please remember our prayers are with you.

Sister of Officer Duke Aaron III
E.O.W. 7-20-05

January 30, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Sheriff Samuels and to all the personnel of the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

January 29, 2005

I only met Sheriff Samuels a couple of times with my wife. My wife has known him for a great many years. I know that this hit her hard, because it was so unexpected. Tammy, Heath, Sharlee, Sheila, Wendy, and other family members, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of greif. Matt was a wonderful man and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

SFC Charles Best
US Army

January 29, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your department and the Sheriff's family God Bless all

Patrol Officer Kevin J. Landreth
Baxter Springs Police Department

January 29, 2005

God Bless You.

Doug Murphy
Quad County Drug Task Force

January 28, 2005

Matt was a great man who loved his family, friends and job as Sheriff. He leaves behind a beautiful family who lost him too soon. There will always be unanswered questions about his death, but never a question about his life. Rest in peace Matt, and I pray Tammy, Heath and Sharlee can one day find peace as well.

Corrections Officer, Dani DeLaBarre
Kansas Department of Corrections

January 27, 2005

Matt, I just wanted to thank you for everything you've helped me with through the years. Thanks for all the advice and for the times you gladly came out and backed me up in the middle of the night. Most of all, thanks for being a friend. I know there was never anything that you would ask us to do that you wouldn't. There wasn't a better person to work for. Matt, thanks again for everything, we miss you buddy.

Deputy Charles R. Bitler
Greenwood County Sheriff's Office

January 27, 2005

My prayers and thoughts go out to the family and co-workers of Sheriff Samuels. Unfortunately Sheriff Samuels made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the citizens of Greenwood County. I had never met Sheriff Samuels before but by reading the memorials left by people who did he was and is a good husband, dad, friend, boss and will be truely missed. And Sheila if your two sons grow up to be anything like their uncle they will be great human beings.

Sgt. S. Davies
Beloit, Ks. PD

January 27, 2005

Sheriff Samuels: Thank You for your service making Kansas a safer place for all of us. You will be missed, but never forgotten. God Bless you and your family.

A Fernandez

January 27, 2005

Sheriff Samuels,
You are a true hero. God bless you and your family. You never be forgotten. I am proud to be in the same profession as you. Rip brother Samuels.

Deputy James Reynolds
Deputy Sheriff

January 27, 2005

I just want to thank everybody that has wrote a reflection for my big brother. He was the greatest big brother a little sister could every have and I will always love him with all my heart. When I was growing up I wanted to be just like him and my 2 boys want to be just like their Uncle Matt. Love and Miss you Big Brother.

Sheila Smith Sheriff Matt Samuels sister

January 26, 2005

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peace keepers for they truely are the lambs of God.

Deputy Dustin Florence
Lincoln County Sheriff Department

January 26, 2005

To the family of Sheriff Samuels:

I dread to see another name added to this page. Be strong and know that there is a brotherhood of angels watching over us all from above. Be proud of the badge that he wore and what it meant to him to be able to wear that badge. I'm just sorry not everyone can see what stands behind that badge is a loving family. Your journey will be long and bumpy, be brave you will find peace at the end. Your in my prayers.

Rest in peace Sheriff Samuels. Try to find Brandy up there and tell him we said hi, we love him and miss him. He is a fun one to be around.

Missy Pierce
Sister-in-law of Brandy Winfield EOW 10/14/2004

Missy Pierce
Brandy Winfield's sister-in-law

January 25, 2005

Our thoughts & prayers are with you. God Bless The Samuels Family and the Sheriff's Department. It is an unmeasurable loss.

Sgt Lehr & Family
Newark CA

January 25, 2005

Rip brother we all salute you god has a new star indeed.

agent
secret service

January 25, 2005

I want to take this oppertunity to thank Sherrif Samuels family for their sacrifice. As Law Enforcement officers we know the risks we take every day we put on the uniform. The most important thing to remember is the risk our famalies take. We put our lives on the line and our families sit back and watch us do this with pride, honor and fear. The fear that we may not make it home that evening. I know the risks I take as do all of us...but the risk our families take, in my eyes, is a far greater one. God Bless Sammuels and his family for making the ultimate sacrafice. To all reading this, be safe out there. We don't always know he officers that arrive on scene to assist us but we know they are our brothers and are always there for us. Even though I did not know Sammuels personally I can honestly say we will miss you brother!

Patrol Officer Justin R. Manning
El Dorado Police Department

January 25, 2005

Matt, You not only were my boss but you were also one of my very best friends. You have tought me so much about life and more than words can say about lawenforcement. No one has given me more chances than you in this life others would have just told me to move on and you didn't. THANK YOU! I don't thinkk that I ever got to tell you that but you were the type of person that did not need thanked you knew when you looked at me. Matt again thank you for everything that you have done for me as a person and a cop, more than anything thank you for being my friend. I will miss you so much but you will never be forgoten.

Chris Neel
Greenwood County Sheriffs Dept

January 25, 2005

I would like to express my sorrow for the loss of a brother in law enforcement that made the ultimate sacrafice to do the job I'm sure he loved doing. Mine along with our departments prayer's are with the family and the Greenwood County Sheriff's Dept. I know he will be sorely missed but he's in a great place where he will be able to watch over the rest of us. God Bless

Sgt. Todd Nichols
Lake Winnebago, Missouri, PD

January 25, 2005

In Memory of Sheriff Samuels.

I have not met Sheriff Samuels but my heart goes out to his department and his family. We are all brothers in this line of work. Thank you Sheriff for all you did and to the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office our thoughts and prayers are with you

William Knight
Independence Police Department
Kansas Association of School Resource Officers

President William Knight
Kansas Association of School Resource Officers

January 25, 2005

Although I never personally knew you, I felt your presence. I felt your presence through the family, friends, and fellow officers I heard speak of you. Like so many others have stated, we are a special community. Whether on the other side of the world, or a county away, we are brothers and sisters...always. Thank you for reminding me how precious life is. Thank you for impressing upon me to give my wife and daughter a hug and a kiss, and to tell them I love them before beginning my watch. Thank you for proudly serving your country, your county, your community, and your family. Thank you for protecting my families, as most of mine lives in your county. I am unable to watch over my family there, as it is not my jurisdiction. But you did, and for that I am grateful. For that, you will always have my respect. My blue candle burns in my window for you...Matt Samuels...

Patrol Officer Aaron M. Curnutt
El Dorado Police Department, Kansas

January 25, 2005

Matt: I never knew you but from reading all of the fine things that other officers and citizens have written about you I can only imagine that you were the “Cream of the Crop” when it comes to being a law enforcement officer. More importantly, I get the feeling that you were even a better man. I thank you for your years of service and your selfless sacrifice. You will be honored. Save a place for me next to the “Big Man” brother, we will hold the beat down for now.

Sgt. Ronald B. Voshell Jr.
Oelwein, IA Police Dept.

January 25, 2005

I am simply a member of society who would like to thank Officer Samuels for the service that he gave to his community. I never met him, but I do admire the field that he served, and extend my condolences to the family. I want to thank him for making his community a better place to live in and to say that heaven has received another star in his arriving. May he rest in peace.

Leanna Carman
The Coffey Shop

January 25, 2005

As the former Elk County, Kansas, Sheriff, I knew Matt from the time he became a deputy in 1986. I was thrilled when Matt became sheriff in 2000. We had become friends and were related by "blue" blood. Matt was my friend, my peer, my buddy. I loved him very much as he was the type of sheriff that was a friend to everyone. May God bless his wife, Tammy, his son, Heath, and his daughter, Sharlee. I will always remember you, Matt.

Jail Director
Wilson County Sheriff's Office, Kansas

January 24, 2005

I did not know Matt, but he sounds like a very brave and wonderful soul. It seems he set examples for all of us to live by. My prayers go out to Matt's family and Department. He will be remembered as a brave man who served the public and loved his family. My condolences and prayers.

Patrolman, Officer C.J. Wettstein
Liberal Police Department

January 24, 2005

Our departments prayers are with Sheriff Samuels and his family. God bless this brave officer who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Sgt. Keating
Orland Park Police

January 24, 2005