Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

my prayers are with your family & department

wayne faber/telecommunicator
apex police dept

October 3, 2005

God Speed

October 3, 2005

Sheriff Matthews thank you for your service. May your family know how much you loved them and that you will always watch over them. God bless you all!

October 3, 2005

To the family and friends of Deputy MATTHEWS, we all share your loss and wish you nothing but the best in your time of need....

To the people of Cumberland County, please thank God tonight and every night that you go to sleep that there are men and women like him who are willing to put the safety and well being of others ahead of that of themselves so that you might rest easy..

and finally to Deputy MATTHEWS, rest easy and know that we will do our best to carry on and make you proud....

a grateful Member of the RCMP

'H' Division
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

October 3, 2005

I was, and will forever be, Brian's sergeant. I watched him become an excellent officer in a very short period of time. Brian is the sort of person that we all strive to be. He was fair and polite with others and his own harshest critic. Brian was a supervisors dream. He would call or ask me questions about how to handle a particular situatuion and once told he would never have to be reminded. When he would make mistakes, as all officers do, he would feel so bad about it that he would think about it for days. About two months ago I talked to him about something that he had done wrong, nothing serious simply a paperwork error on a meaningless report that most likely will be filed away and never seen by human eyes again. Brian sat in his car next to mine looking like a puppy waiting to get yelled at. To his surprise I didn't yelland I didn't get mad. There was no need to. I know that simply by talking to him that I would never have to tell him again and that there would be no repeat of the mistake. This was on a Tuesday afternoon. The following Friday morning Brian came to me and told me that he had been mad at himself over the two days we had been off and that he would make sure it never happened again. I remember smiling knowing that the situation was well in hand.
In the past few weeks Brian and I had been gathering intel on a suspected Meth Lab and the criminals who were moving the Meth around the county. Brian was pulling in more and more information each day from his mountain of informants and friends thoughout the community. Brian knew everyone on the East Side and everyone knew him. On Brian's last day he called me to tell me that he had made contact with an older gentleman who had information on where a stolen vehicle might be located at. He was going to follow up on that tip as soon as he got the chance. Later that same morning he introduced his partner and another officer to the current Miss North Carolina Brooke McLaurin. Typical of Brian, he knew everyone.
I could go on and on with great things to say about one of the best officers I've worked with but I'll stop since the tears are starting again. Brian you were an outstanding officer. From eating at Stricklands with you to drawing down on drunks who beat their wives I have enjoyed every moment. You made the world a better place and I am glad you were there with us. A-14 you are clear for 10-42.

Sr. Sergeant Matt Hurley
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

October 3, 2005

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. RIP BROTHER OFFICER. NEVER FORGOTTEN!!

DETECTIVE LIONEL GARRETT
INGLEWOOD POLICE DEPT.

October 3, 2005

Leadership requires the courage to make decisions that will benefit the next generation. Thanks Matthews for always being a team player. You will be missed greatly.

Deputy K.Warren
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

October 3, 2005

From our department to the family, friends, and co-workers/partners of this fallen HERO, Deputy Christopher B. Matthews, we would like to express our sincere sorrow for this tragic loss. While it sometimes seems so sensless that one of our own is taken from us, I know that GOD knows his plan, his plan for you and I. While it may seem so hard to grasp the reason behind this loss, have peace in knowing that to GOD, its not a loss at all, he gained an angel. Deputy Matthews will still be with us, he will simply be 1/2 step behind his fellow officers. He will guide, lead, and direct them, you see, I think it's just part of GODS plan. May peace be with you all. May this fallen HERO, and all others remain in our hearts and paryers forever- GOD bless.

Chief James A. Roberts
Jonesboro Georgia Police Department

October 3, 2005

I read your memorial page today and thought of my brother as I read about you. We lost Keith on May 4th of this year. He was also 26, was a deputy sheriff, died in an auto accident, and he lived in the Carolinas (South). I am saddened to have to read about another officer making the ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace and my God bless you and your family during this difficult time. I hope you get to meet Keith in heaven - seems like you have many things in common.

Kevin Cannon
Brother of Keith Cannon

October 3, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the Camillus Police Department, our deepest sympathy's to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Christopher Matthews. Rest in Peace Brother, we now have the Watch.

PBA
Town of Camillus Police Department, NY

October 3, 2005

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Deputy Christopher Matthews, and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Deputy Metthews, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

October 3, 2005

REST IN PEACE...LET US TAKE OVER THE WORK NOW....GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Senior Officer JM #8224
US Customs & Border Protection

October 3, 2005

Deputy Sheriff Matthews..you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

girlfriend of a leo
michigan

October 3, 2005

Hey, my fellow deputy and friend you will be surely missed and Remembered. You are defintely a hero.

Deputy B. Johnson
Cumbeland County Sheriff's Office

October 3, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Christopher did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Christopher be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Matthews' family, friends, and co-workers are going through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (The Davis County Sheriff's Office and COPS will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Christopher but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Christopher will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Christopher, even for a short time. I pray that Christopher and Dennis will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Deputy Matthews for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 3, 2005

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

October 2, 2005

Deputy Matthews, you are so young. I can't hold back the tears. Godspeed brother.......

P.O. Martin
FMPD

October 2, 2005

Our hearts go out to the CCSD and the friends and family of Deputy Matthews. You are home now Chris, rest easy, we'll take the watch from here.

Trooper
NC State Highway Patrol

October 2, 2005

To the family and friends of Deputy Christopher B. Matthews and fellow officers with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to entend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Deputy Matthews was so tragically killed at such a young age. His valor and dedication will never be forgotten.

May his loved ones be comforted by the caring and support of your law enforcement community, and other police survivors. Our family grieves with you and for you. We share your agony as we lost our beloved Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg Police Dept. when he was fatally shot on April 23rd during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers. Larry and I are both natives of Durham so the loss of a fallen Carolina officer
is particularly felt, although each fallen officer and their families are precious to us.

In reading the reflections about Deputy Matthews, it is obvious he was well-respected by his peers. It is so sad that he was killed in the line of duty at such an early age, and deprived of a lifetime of experiences. I am glad that he fulfilled his goal of becoming a patrol officer after first serving in detention centers.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect fo the service Deputy Matthews gave to his community, and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 30, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

October 2, 2005

BRIAN,

YOU WERE A GREAT OFFICER AND A GREAT FRIEND, AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ONE LIKE YOU. I AM GOING TO MISS WORKING WITH YOU DAY IN AND DAY OUT. I KNOW YOU ARE UP THERE LOOKING OUT FOR ALL OF US. I AM GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH. A-PLT. WILL RISE ABOVE IT.

DEP. K. DICKINSON
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

October 2, 2005

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that we are praying for the family and coworkers of this young officer. May he rest in the arms of Jesus, safe forever. God bless you all in your time of grief. Deputy Matthews, we will listen with pride as your name is called in DC in May. We will be there! You are in good company, as the best of the best are in Heaven. We'll see you there!

Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Fallen Hero, Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04, FCSO, NC

October 2, 2005

To Deputy Matthews family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

October 2, 2005

G-d Speed my Brother

uc
odps Inv Unit

October 2, 2005

My heart and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers of this fine young Deputy. May God bless you all in this terrible time of loss. Rest in peace Deputy Matthews. Another hero who will not be forgotten.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02

October 2, 2005

I never had the pleasure of meeting Deputy Matthews but my heart goes out to his family, friends and co-workers. God Bless you Deputy Matthews and we will be thinking of you often.

Laura Watts/ Telecommuniator
Columbus County 911

October 2, 2005