Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On this 3 year anniversary of your EOW, we are thinking of you, your family, friends and co-workers.

By reading about you, you made an impact on so many, we thank you for that.

Please watch over your family as they continue to heal when remembering you. Let them know that you are always with them.

Thank you for your service, you are a True Hero and will not be forgotten.

Craig Figgins
Brother - SGT Dan Figgins St Charles, IL EOW 4/9/05

January 19, 2008

~Never forgotten. Rest in peace~

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

January 19, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE.

THIS WRITER IS ALWAYS PLEASED WHEN JUSTICE IS APPROPRIATELY SERVED

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 11, 2008

Matt,
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken.
No time to say "Goodbye".
You were gone before I knew it,
and only GOD knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to Love You-
No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times,
life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today-
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.

We All Miss You!

November 2, 2007

Matt,
I remember you coming in to Mrs. Evan's 4th Hour Communications class and telling us all about your wonderful career and your life. I can still remember you standing outside of the Sheriff's Department and I would come over and talk to you for the few minutes a day that I could spare. You used to give me encouragement to better my life and to do what I love. All of us here in Greenwood County all love you and miss You.
To Tammy and the Kids, Sta strong, because Matt would really hate to see you give up hope. You will all see Him agin one day, seated with the Father and the Son in heaven. All of us here in Greenwood county are so sorry that this has happened

Homer Wilson Jr.
Friend

October 31, 2007

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

October 25, 2007

Happy 45th Birthday 10/22/07

thinking of you all day

Friend

October 24, 2007

Matt, I never knew you however; I know your family of Officers and am very humbled by them and feel the love that they have for you and will always have for you. Right now, the justice has begun. You have continous support from the residence of this small community and it warms my heart to know that you are watching over the Deputy's that you have left behind to care for us. I would like to personally pray to our Heavenly Father to allow you to continue your relentless service through our Deputy's in their efforts to continue your great work here on earth. I will always pray for your loved ones and I promise to you that I will do my very best to watch out for your friends while on duty. God Bless you Matt Samuels for all you have done and all you have yet to do. I pray to meet you in person some day when the sun is shining brightly through the earthly clouds. Thank you for what your memory has taught me. Rest easy.

Just another heart touched by your memory.

October 14, 2007

Matt, No matter how far away or the time since you left, I will never forget the impact you had on me and many others. Your influence has and is making a difference in people's lives. One can tell how you lived by the legacy you left both in others and in your family.

Jim Oliver
Friend, Former GW Co. Deputy

January 27, 2007

Well today marks 2 years, and let me tell you that you are missed so much that it makes life really had to get thru, i just wish that you were still here and helping make a difference in everyones life, NOBODY can fill your shoes no matter how they try you impacted so many lifes I just want you to know that what you have taught me made the person i am today and with out you looking after me making sure i was doing the right things i would not be where i am in life today, make sure you watch over all of us and the ones that we have lost. I LOVE YOU!!!

daughter #2

January 19, 2007

It is the 2nd anniversary you will be spending in heaven. You are truely a hero and will never be forgotten...thank you for your service

wife of leo

January 19, 2007

you will never be forgotten, your memories and legacy lives as strong as it did two years ago when you where taken from us

friend

January 19, 2007

Two years have passed and I know the tears still flow from the broken hearts left behind. I hope justice is served in this case. So many dreams ended because of one person. Keep watch over your loved ones and stay close to them as each day is a real challenge for them. My thoughts are with them today.

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

January 19, 2007

May you rest in peace and may your family be blessed by Our Lord.

January 19, 2007

Sounds like you were one in a million. How can people
carry on without you? God bless those with broken
hearts.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

January 19, 2007

Gone just two years, but NEVER to be forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 8, 2007

I never got the honor to meet Mr. Samuels, but I did however get the honor to meet and work with his wife. She is one of the most giving people I have ever met. Im sure his character can be judged the same. R.I.P brother!

Sgt. Richard W. Gullotto
Kansas Department of Corrections

December 31, 2006

I miss you Matt! Have a good thanksgiving and Christmas! Keep us safe while we travel and I will save you a pop or something to pay you back for all of it you bought me! I love you Matt! I miss you!!

You take care now! I can tell that you are missed and loved very much. We'll see you again sometime, but for now enjoy heaven and keep Morgan safe and happy!

Morgan Worthington and My Friend
Like a daughter

November 17, 2006

10/22/06

Happy 44th Birthday Matt

still wish you were here. I'm sure you are very proud of Tammy, Sharlee, and Heath they are staying strong.

Miss you

friend
khp

October 27, 2006

Wow...what a honor to have so many people love you.
My thoughts are with your family.
I think about you, every time I see your honory star in a car window.

Denise Yost
cousin

September 6, 2006

Wow, I am in awe at the impact you made on so many lives. As I sat here this evening reading each and every reflection left in your honor, chills ran up my spine. My heart aches for the Samuels Family and the entire Greenwood County Community. Matt, to you my brother I say this ... If after I leave this world to join you in patrolling the streets of heaven I am remembered in half the manner that you are, I will leave this world knowing that I too gave it my all! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AS WELL AS THE MANY MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE POURED THEIR HEARTS OUT IN THESE REFLECTIONS!

Deputy Reserve and Detention Deputy
Wilson County resident

July 26, 2006

Matt i miss you so much....i wish you were here but when you think about it you still are here in my heart and you are always watching over me....you see every tear i cry when i see your picture and when i hear the song "American Soldier".....i miss you matt and i cant wait to see you up in heaven!!!!

Morgan worthington
Good friend and daughter of sheriff deputy and like a family member

July 20, 2006

happy fathers day

Matt's bud
friend

June 18, 2006

You will never be forgotten. Every day I go to work, I remember why I am here, why I am in law enforcement. If it wasn't for you...

Dispatcher Sharla Speer
Derby PD/Former Eureka resident

June 10, 2006

It's been a year allready..it just doesn't seem possible..I was home about a month or two ago to see my parents...and out of habbit i looked for you...then i realized...i didn't have to you were still there looking over everyone...I can't help but remember..when you'd come in the restruant..and everytime..my mom would say "matt i'm gonna have to get you a bib, or tammy a supply of shout." ..and then you'd ask if i was stayin out of trouble..I'm still stayin out of trouble matty....watch tammy, the kids, and the family close...they still need you...you'll find your special way of letting them know your there..you always did...

To the family..Tammy, Heath, Sharlee..my thoughts are with you all still..and my prayers..you were nothing but nice to me..and are still very much a part of our family..

Kami Browning
Friend

June 7, 2006