Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I meet sheriff samuels once in an interview I had with him and I noticed him to be a very professional person and i am saden to hear about this happening to him and his family,
God Bless all of his family

Eddie Royer

January 23, 2005

Matt-there's millions of words to describe our dear friend. There is NO one that can ever replace you. You understood us as if you were a teen yourself. We remember those days, passing out milk as we go on you would say,"Chocolate or White?" It was so funny a police officer taking time out of his busy life just to ask us what kind of milk we drink. But those days are ingraved in our hearts and will remain there forever. Got one question, "Where's my snickers?" Thats a question that matt used to always ask us at the games..... He was always there for us to talk and trust. Teens need that, even if we are in trouble. Thanks for everything you have done and taught us..... As we get older and move on to better things, we will look back and always remember the person who taught us most........ OUR FRIEND AND SHERIFF will NEVER be forgotten! We love and miss you........R.I.P. Matt Samuels

Andrea French,Jessica Tipton,Mattie McCu

January 23, 2005

Our thoughts and Prayers are with Matt , his family and friends as we mourn his sacrifice . God Bless

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

January 23, 2005

My family and I pray that Sheriff Samuels' family will find peace. May God bless all of those who knew Sheriff Samuels.

Sgt. Joe Schroeder
Wichita Police Department

January 23, 2005

Taps will sound for you, but you will never be forgotten. You will never walk alone.

Please protect us as we continue the watch.

Officer Michael B. Smith
Columbus OH Division of Police

January 23, 2005

Thanks Matt for all the long hrs and hard work you have done for your community.
I pray that god will watch over your family.

God bless you.

Douglas MacArthur 2nd
Gfd Gloucester Massachusetts

January 23, 2005

God speed I did not know Matt but from reading these reflections I know he will be missed. My heart reaches out to his family and friends.

Ted Bartlett SRO
Osawatomie Police Department

January 23, 2005

To the family of Sheriff Matt Samuels:

We were never fortunate enough to know Matt personally. Our niece is married to one of Matt's good friends (Jason Lehnherr) who is a wonderful part of our family. However, we wanted you to know how we feel.

I have past law enforcement experience and because of that, our younger son is in law enforcement, serving as a K-9 Officer for the Topeka Police Department.

As parents of a member of the large family of peace officers, and having been in that family as well. We know that each time we say "good bye" or "we love you", might very well be the last time we see him, and be able to tell him we love him. We all know what the men and women in law enforcement do, and know deep in our hearts something like happened to Matt could happen to our loved one. But, you try not to think about it, you put it out of your mind, and pray it never happens to our family. Then the knock on the door comes.

We like to think that knock came from Jesus, and the person or persons at your door were simply the delivery method.

Please understand those of us in the law enforcement family grieve for Matt's loss along with you. As we all are members of your family. We know that Matt can never be replaced and will live in your hearts forever.

Thus, all of us in that family will miss him as well. On behalf of our family, we want to thank Matt for giving the ultimate sacrifice, a sacrifice that only be given with total caring, dedication, and love for people.

God Bless all of you and your family in your time of loss and sorrow. All of us are there with you!

Bob & Judy Salmon
Topeka, Kansas

Bob & Judy Salmon

January 23, 2005

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office extends its condolences to the Sheriff Matt Samuels' family and coworkers. This is a profession where unfortunately we are asked to put ourselves in harm's way all to often and the ultimate sacrifice is also part of the price we pay. We are willing to do these things because we truly believe in a society where we can all be free of those who would cause injury to those we love and those we don't even know. Sheriff Samuels serves as an inspiration to the rest of us to continue standing up for the things in life that are right and just.

SHERIFF MIKE KEATING
HAMILTON COUNTY KANSAS

January 23, 2005

Here are a few of my memories of Matt.
He loved Phil Collins.
And we talked about cake and I said I didn't like it with frosting and I think he said he didn't either, but that he liked his cake in a glass of milk. And it's those little things that pop up in your mind that we can hang onto and, smile when we think of happy times.

I'm sorry Tammy, Heath, and Sharlee.

Lori (Baker) Vogts & Mandy Clifton

January 23, 2005

Rest In Peace, my brother

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
USM

January 22, 2005

Rest in peace, our brother and hero.

Deputy S. Spooner
Edwards County Sheriff's Department, KS

January 22, 2005

God Bless this fallen hero.

Jared Rollins

January 22, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Samuels.

OFC Kevin R Turley
Jacksonville State Police Department

January 22, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. He was a great man and will be missed! He had a way with people that so many never have, made you feel safe and always had a smile. I wish there were more men like him. The world would be a better place.

January 22, 2005

"I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance."

~Pablo Casals

I knew Sheriff Matt Samuels for many years while living in Madison. I remember him coming to the school to talk to us about staying away from drugs and alcohol. He worked very hard to keep these substances away from the children and out of the schools. This was one of his personal goals, which is so admirable. Not only was he our Sheriff, leader, mentor, and role model, he was our friend. I never felt like I couldn't talk to him about things that might have been going wrong with me, and he always seemed to have a good answer for everything, whether it was serious or being the jokester that he was. I always got a big smile and wave from him when he saw me in Madison, something that I will miss so much. Sheriff Matt Samuels was such an exceptional Police officer...friend...person. Greenwood county was a safer place because of him, a better place because of him. No community could ask for a better leader. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children, family, and friends in their time of grieving for their hero, our hero. He touched so many lives throughout his years of service...who knows how many people he helped. "To Protect and Serve" was his motto, and he did exactly that for us. He gave his life for his service, and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you and Goodbye Sheriff Matt Samuels, a friend, a leader, a hero.

"After the verb "to love," "to help" is the most beautiful verb in the world"
~Bertha von Suttner

"You give but little when you give your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give"

~Pierre Corneille

Former Greenwood County Resident Hillary

January 22, 2005

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE *** Sent to you by the father of Detective J.D.Koeppen, Raleigh North Carolina; Trooper D.C.Koeppen, New Jersey State Police and Patrolman A.M.Koeppen, Wilmington North Carolina.

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

January 22, 2005

To the family of Matt Samuels and the Greenwood County Sheriff's office. On behalf of my family, and my agency, I would like to extend my deepest condolences for your loss. It takes a great man to be a leader, a husband, a father, and a caretaker for his community. I did not know Matt personally, but I know the type of man that he was. Kind, Considerate of others, self sacrificing, loyal, and brave. He put honesty and integrity above all else, and his word was his bond. He will be missed by all that knew him, all his fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement, and all that he served.

Chief of Police Jeff Sharp
Holcomb Police Dept. KS

January 22, 2005

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

January 22, 2005

My heart and prayers go out for the family of Matt Samuels family and to the Greenwood Co. Law Enforcement.
As I watched and read the news of this tragedy, I reflected back to the evening of March 22, 2002. 23 year old officer Adam Streicher of Stark Co. Ill. went to serve an arrest warrant to the town bully.
The bully shot and killed Adam,stole his gun and police car. He then drove around the block and kicked in my sister's door and shot and killed her and her husband in the presence of their 10 year old daughter.
I met Adam only though the pain our families shared together.
Matt and Adam and countless number of our men in blue are and always will be rememberd as heros.
My God comfort and heal you at this time.
Karen Smith

Karen S. Smith

January 22, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that "you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of Solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy "about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is "I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works "around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. "Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" (that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, "he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, "he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is "only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan "At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, "I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits (once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, "Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

January 22, 2005

Rest in peace sir. God bless the men and women of the Greenwood County Sheriffs Department.

Police Officer
Wichita Police Department

January 22, 2005

Sheriff Samuels you will never be forgotten. Our prayers go out to the Family and friends of Sheriff Samuels.

Seward County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska

January 22, 2005

Rest in peace brother, your bravery will never be forgotton!!!

Deputy James Bradford
Bradley County Sheriff Department, TN

January 22, 2005

The members of the Garnett Police Dept wish to extend our heart felt sympathy and sadness at the loss of Sheriff Samuels. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and co-workers. May God bless you all and give you strength in your time of need.

Officer Anthony Bell
Garnett Police Dept

January 22, 2005