Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I'm sure it was my loss by never meeting you, nevertheless, you are a brother officer that will surely be missed. Rest in peace and my prayers go out to your family and fellow officers.

Investigator Bryan Poteet
Cobb County Police Department

October 31, 2005

I was charged today to be the NC COPS President for the next 2 years. I like you have lost a loved one to violence that should not take the lives of those so young! Your son will always be remembered by the NC COPS organization. I am working to have a LEO Memorial placed on the Capitol Grounds in Raleigh where all of the NC HEROES will be memorialized for all who visit to see. Know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time!!! Remember NC COPS is here for you at anytime day or night to help you through this journey!!!

Patricia Tucker
NC COPS President

October 29, 2005

Thank you for your service.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

October 29, 2005

To Brian's Family: My prayers will be with you forever.

Brian, you will be greatly missed by all your friends, loved ones, and brother's in lawenforcement. As Chad said, we know you will be 10-8 watching over us.

Never forgoten!!

Officer CR Harrison
Greenville Police Department

October 28, 2005

My family would like to extend our deepest heart felt sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Christopher Matthews. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We would like to let law enforcement officers everywhere know how much we appreciate them for putting their lives on the line everyday doing their jobs to keep their communities safe. May God watch over and protect each & everyone of you!

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

October 26, 2005

Heaven has another HERO tonight. May GOD bless your family and friends now. Rest in peace, Sir.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-3-14-04

October 25, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DEPUTY
MATTHEWS, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

October 22, 2005

Rest in peace, Brother.

Deputy N. Antoniou
San Jacinto County Precinct 2

October 18, 2005

My heart broke when I got the e-mail from the Dees family about Deputy Matthews. I had been out of town for the week (that's how I spend every year now the week of October 3) and came back to the sad news. It's not an easy road to travel; I've been travelling it since 10-3-01. I pray that the Lord will wrap his loving arms around you and help you through the difficult days ahead. Be sure to let your loved ones know how much you love them!

Denise
Survivor of Trooper Calvin Taylor

October 12, 2005

Deputy Matthews,
You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Now Brother !

Dep. Paul Sperandeo, Ofc. Amy Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Gretna Police Dept. LA

October 8, 2005

I wish there were some words of wisdom that I could share with the friends and family of this young officer. Unfortunately, I know the pain all too well. My fiance was killed in an automobile accident almost exactly 2 1/2 years ago. The journey without him has been long, harsh, grueling, and painful, yet I have become a stronger, more loving person. I wish I could say that it gets easier somehow, but honestly that hasn't happened for me yet. Some days I am able to smile and laugh at the memories and others it still takes all of my strength to make it through one day without shedding a tear. Your Officer will give you more strength than you ever knew you had. Hold on tight to those memories and the strength for no one and nothing can ever take those away. Honor him for the man he was and how he will continue to influence your life from above. Especially to Officer Matthews' fiancee, please feel free to leave me a message or contact me anytime. I promise I will listen, and will probably understand more than you think anyone possibly can. I will be praying for all of you...the only one who can walk with you from beginning to end is our precious Lord and I know he will not let you fall.

To Officer Matthews,
Thank you for paying the ultimate price probably much earlier than you ever imagined. So many people do not realize the daily risk and are not grateful for people like you putting your lives on the line every single time you step out the door. Please remember to give your friends, family, coworkers, and especially fiancee strength and guidance as their new guardian angel. Please tell my fiance, Cole, hello and that I love him.

Love and prayers,

Jessi Garger
(member of OfficerDownSignificantOthers group)

Fiancee of Ofcr. Cole Martin
Chatsworth, GA P.D.
E.O.W. April 25, 2003

October 8, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Your hard work and dedication to the citizens of this county were not in vain and you did make a difference.

God Speed.

Tobey and Kendra Whitney
US Army / SVHS Teacher

October 8, 2005

To my best friend and other brother, thanks for always being there whenever I needed you. Thanks for always filling the shoes for me while I've been away. I will always remember the good times we shared and the stories I still have to share with everyone. Thanks for being such an important part of life and everyone you came in contact with. You will always be remembered and A-14 will always be 10-8 watching over us!!!!!

Special Agent/Chad Royal
NCSBI

October 8, 2005

To the family of Deputy Matthews our hearts cry out for you. We feel your pain, shed tears with you and for you.
Dear Lord we pray at this very moment that you will extend your loving arms of comfort to this family. Enfold them with love and help them through the long days ahead. Give them rest when they are weary. Help them to depend on you. Let them know that at this moment there are only "ONE SET OF FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND." You said in your word that "you would never forsake us and that you would be with us, "even to the end." Now we pray that you will help them .
If I could take away your pain, I would. If I could bring him back to you, I would. If I could tell you that he is in a better place, He is!!!
God be with you!!!

TONY & SUE MILLER
PARENTS OF: OFFICER SHANE MILLER
EOW- MAY 15, 2004
TABOR CITY POLICE DEPT.

October 7, 2005

Many different emotions are felt at such a tragedy. My heart hurts with the pain of loosing a Deputy in the line of duty doing a job that I have always admired and respected, loosing a warm and friendly young man that made me smile very often, seeing my fellow workers hurt in their grief. It is never easy to understand such a tragedy and we all question why? My heartfelt sympathy goes to all of Brian's friends, co-workers, parents, fiance' and family members. As a Mother, I can only try to understand how hard this is for them and my heart breaks. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
The following is a poem that I read daily to help me with the losses I have experienced throughout the years.

I'M FREE

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path GOD had for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times,
a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Dont lenghten it now with undo grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me
GOD wanted me now. He set me Free.

You will me missed....but never forgotten Deputy Matthews....You brought joy into this world....Rest in Peace.

Kathy Andrews

Kathy Andrews Dispatcher
CCSO

October 7, 2005

Rest in Peace brother. You have done your share and we appreciate you, your service, faithfulness, and sacrificial dedication to duty. Be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.
Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

October 7, 2005

Rest in peace bro. Matthew 5:9

thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.

McLamb
Wake County S.O.
Raleigh,N.C.

Deputy McLamb
Wake County Sheriffs Offc. NC

October 7, 2005

If tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today. While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you; And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready in heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave you behind, All those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye, For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad, I thought of all that we shared, And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and
maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, That this could never be, For emptiness and memories, would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When
God looked down and smiled at me from His great golden throne. He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you." Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew. "I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last, and since each day's the same way, There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, So trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, You knew you shouldn't do." "But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand, and share my life with me?" When tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, For every time you think of me, I'm right there, in your heart."

A CONOLY "A & B PLT 5ADAM"
CCSO

October 7, 2005

I know one thing that is hard to hear in law enforcement, And that is one officer laying down his life while trying to aid another officer. Thanks Deputy Matthews for all you did, to make your county a much better place to live.
Everyday it is the law enforcement is putting there life on the line to help this country. Weither it is Police, Sheriff or Highway Patrol they are helping others in need. Thank you all and I know Deputy Matthews is in a better place now.

Daniel Brown

October 6, 2005

On behalf of the men & women of the Wellington Ohio Police Department we send our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Deputy C. Bryan Matthews of the Cumberland County Sherrif's Department.

Patrolman
Wellington Police Department

October 6, 2005

TO MY BEST FRIEND MATT, YOU WILL BE MISSED SO MUCH FROM MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. I JUST WISH SO MUCH TO KNOW THAT THIS IS ONLY A DREAM, BUT OUR MEMORIES TOGETHER WILL STAY IN MY HEART FOREVER. YOU ARE ONE THAT COULD NEVER BE REPLACED. I KNOW THAT WE'LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN AND IT WILL BE THE SAME WAY THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TOGETHER, WITH LAUGTHER, JOKE'S AND A FRIENDSHIP THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU AND THAT YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN MY BROTHER........... REST IN PEACE.

DEPUTY G. WASHINGTON
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

October 6, 2005

The badge a law enforcement officer wears is worn proudly by those who have accepted the challenge to serve and protect. Brian, you wore that badge with courage, honor and pride.

With respect and admiration we remember you. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice - we salute you Deputy Matthews!

Training Staff
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

October 6, 2005

I had the privilege of working with A-14 Deputy Matthews. Deputy Matthews was sworned in when I first started working at the Sheriff's Office, it was like we started together. Deputy Matthews was very kind, respectful, and always had a smile on his face. I will greatly miss him. To his family I would like to encourage you to keep "Brian's" memories alive, it will give you strength to make it through this very difficult time. Remember to keep praying and trusting in God because he is the only one that can heal a "hurting heart".

In my prayers,

Lisa

Shalisa Pauldin (5 Adam- Records)
Cumberland County Sheriff Office

October 6, 2005

REST IN PEACE

LT JD LOMAX
CCSO

October 6, 2005

Thank you for your duty to your county and country. Some give all for freedom and peace.

C.O. Stevens
Nevada Dept. of Corrections

October 5, 2005