Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is so sad that this wonderful man is no longer here on earth to live amongst us. He brought so much joy and kindess to all. Our thooughts and prayers are with his fiance, the lovely Jessica and her parents and the Redding family. We will never forget Matt, but we know where he is now...with Jesus who he worships and loves. He dwells with the Lord. God bless you.

December 21, 2005

As this holiday season progresses, I do hope that the law enforcement agencies get as many of those horrible drunk drivers off the road. I live in Sacramento and I read in the paper today of all the agnecies that are joining forces this month in honor of matt. God bless all of your souls and may god be with you as you take those horrbile people off the road.

R.I.P. Matt Redding
R.I.P. Joseph Kievernagel
R.I.P. Kevin Blount
R.I.P. Andy Stevens

December 15, 2005

Matt, you are gone but will never be forgotten. I pray that God will comfort your family and Jessica especially during this Christmas season. While I was out Christmas shopping last night I couldn't help but to feel the pain of your loss. I couldn't help but to think that you should be here celebrating with us! Then I thought about the fact that you are in Heaven attending the best celebration. My heart was then comforted. You are deeply missed and loved! Thank you for sharing your life with is. Until we meet again.

December 14, 2005

MATT...I'M A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER FROM THE SAN LEANDRO POLICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS A MOTOR OFFICER. I WAS HIT BROADSIDE RESPONDING TO AN INJURY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, BY A DRIVER WHO HAD BEEN DRINKING. I WAS LUCKY TO RECOVER FROM MY INJURIES. I ONLY WISH YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU, YOUR FIANCE,YOUR FAMILY, AND TO THE ENTIRE ROCKLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL, ALWAYS.

MICHAEL ROSE
SAN LEANDRO POLICE DEPARTMENT(RETIRED)

December 9, 2005

Don't greive for me, for now I am free.
I am following the path God laid out 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 peace 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, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with time of sorrow, I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life has been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don't lenghten it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.....


Matt, we miss you more everyday. You are such a special person. You are our HERO! You became the man that all of us hope to raise our little boys to become. I can only imagine how happy our Grandpa was when you entered Heaven. We love you and miss you!!

December 9, 2005

Thank you for working so hard to protect us. On Earth you made so many friends and everyone knows how you cared for your family, Jessica and the Rocklin Police Dept. Now you are free to explore eternity with the Lord. Matt, we all continue in our love and admiration for you.

December 9, 2005

There is a place where not many people have been. But I have been there my whole life. A place I feel so close to God I can reach out and touch Him. A place where everything is perfect.

By Matt Redding 1996

December 6, 2005

I did not know him as "officer", no, he was Matt to me, my daughters fiance. What a joy it was to have him as a member of our family, though not married yet, it was as good as if he were. Our hearts were turning toward anticapation of wedding plans, less than a year away. Well, its been 8 weeks since his death and without doubt the hardest times in our lives. I look at his pictures and remember what a wonderful and sweet man he was. As big and strong a figure he was, and yet so sweet. Our lives will never be the same, he was like a son to me and would often call me mom. I miss him so much. Matt, I know you are in heaven now because you put your trust in Jesus, and that heaven is more than what any of us could visualize, but the bible helps us to begin. I know it wasn't by coincedince that we were studying the tabernacle in church together. I can now see you running pass the brazen altar and directly into the Holy of Holies! You serve as a priest before the Lord! And He has also made you a king. I know you have super accelerated in knowledge,wisdom and understanding and with your adventuresome spirit you are searching the vast deminsions & domain of eternity. To think, you thought Hawaii was a special place!

Lisa

December 6, 2005

Matt you are my hero! Thank you for all that you shared with us here while you were on the earth. And thank you for what you have left behind since your death. Since your passing I have made every effort to be just a little kinder. I have also gone back to the gym! I am experiencing a whole new quality of life! Yet, in this new quality of life as I am feeling better physically. My hope is in eternity! Thank you for putting my perspective in the right place. I love you bro! May God bless your family and Jessica during this time! -CW

December 2, 2005

Sometimes when people pass on, their legacy is enhanced. It is just something we do to say how great some one was in their life. We do it out of respect and we tend to enhance everything. I want to tell everyone reading this memorial that what you read about Matt is true. He was a wonderful, caring, loving, committed to his job kind of guy. It is hard, I know, to believe that someone so wonderful existed, but it is all true. Religious, loving to his parents and brother, totally in love with Jessica and proud to be a part of the Rocklin Police Dept. He was religious and loved the Lord. We have been privileged to know someone like Matt. They don't come around like this very much that is for sure. Now he is with his hero, Jesus and we salute him. We sure do miss you! God bless us all.

December 1, 2005

We express our deep sorrow in the loss of a real hero. He was such a kind and loving person, but his really best attribute was his committment to honoring the Lord and lving a life that was an example to others. A loss and a hero to all of us, but he is in his glory with his hero, Jesus.

November 29, 2005

We are so sorry to here about your tragic loss of a loved one in law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in support. As we personally know, sometimes there is little comfort that comes from words. Keep focused as you can on the memories and joyous times for these things may bring you comfort. Rely heavily on family, friends, and other law enforcement. Honor your fallen loved one, for their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Alissa Scott
Widow of Wayne Scott
E.O.W. 09-10-02

Lisa Schultz
Widow of Don Schultz
E.O.W. 05-12-03

Co-Founders of Survivor Help Network

November 28, 2005

God bless the Redding and Navarette family. What a wonderful person he was on earth and now he resides with the Lord. Matt Redding will always be a special hero to so many of us.

November 26, 2005

On 10/11/05 Boston Police Academy RTG 42-05 remembered Officer Matt Redding and dedicated our training day to him.

You are not forgotten.

Boston Police Academy RTG 42-05
BPD

November 22, 2005

Matt I still can't believe you are gone! It just doesn't seem real! Yet, our hope comes in knowing that you have already experienced the embrace of Jesus! How exciting for you that you are no longer confined to the earth and the things their of. Thank you for being such a light to us during your short time here. You are gone but we will never forget you. Until we meet again my friend!

November 21, 2005

Our family prays for your family and Jessica. We ask for God to soothe the pain all of them feel and to remember that you are with the Lord. You loved Jesus and that is what is important now. The loss of your physical presence is painful and hurtful but what really counts now is that you rejoice in the arms of the Lord. God bless your family and Jessica. Matt you are already blessed..you are with the Lord.
With all my Christian beliefs and love of the Lord I truly believe that. God bless your mom, dad Jessica and her famiy and your grandmother. Keep a watch on your brothers in blue.

November 20, 2005

Matt --

I first got acquainted with you when we moved into the neighborhood in late 1992. You drove that red Camero with the tinted windows and loud exhaust. My son was just a little tyke then and I had no idea how you would eventually impact his life.

Justin really got to know you when he was a young teen-ager. You were already a member of the Rocklin P.D. by then. You shared some wonderful times out on Folsom Lake and on ride-alongs.
It's really because of you he has decided to make law enforcement his career. You were such a positive influence on his life and he saw you as a hero and his idol. He not only considered you a freind, but a brother as well.

My heart goes out to your family, friends, and Jessica. I can't even begin to imagine the grief they must feel, but I know they take great comfort in the fact that you are with your Lord.

Thank you, Matt, for what you did for Justin, and know that when he becomes a police officer he will honor your memory but emulating the very person that you were.

Laura Raphael

November 18, 2005

We offer condolences to the Navarette fanily and the Redding family. Matt was the most wonderful person..so loving and kind. Jessica also loving and sweet. He was Mark's hero. We ask the Lord to ease their sorrow. Matt is with the Lord, no doubt about it. Rest in peace and God bless you always.

November 17, 2005

Matt-

It's been a little over a month since I last talked to you, and you were here on Earth with us. and tradition in a few years time. Everytime I get caught up in my emotion and start to break down, I think of your smile and all the funny memories. Know that you'll never be forgotten brother. I miss you a lot, and rest assured, you'll see me carrying on your honor. Keep the big guy in line up there.

Justin

P.S.- When I get up there to see you, we're having the bench press competition you owe me

Justin Raphael

November 14, 2005

Babe,
I'm able to move on because I think of your wonderful smile and loving eyes. I think of you being in heaven and so happy, and remembering all the fun times we had together. You were my love and nothing will change that. I will relive the memories we had together in my dreams until we meet again. Love Jess
p.s please tell the angels I want you back.

November 13, 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 Matt did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Matt be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Redding's family, friends, and co-workers are going through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his fiancee Jessica. 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 will always know how to reach me or write jocelyne1974 at canada dot com)

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 Matt but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Matt will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Matt, even for a short time. I pray that Matt, Dennis, and all the other fallen officers will continue to watch over us all as only they can.

Thank you Officer Redding 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's lives you touched brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

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

November 11, 2005

You are a hero. How I wish I had met you. But you have changed my life. While reading about you I realized that everything you are is what I would like to achieve. Not the police work, but your belief in God and Jesus Christ. I have turned to the Lord and I will someday meet you and thank you for giving me my life back. God bless you Matt, and the wonderful family that raised you, the brother that loves you so very much and Jessica, a woman who loves you now and forever.

November 10, 2005

I am touched after reading all eight pages of refelctions by family, friends, co-workers and citizens.

I will include in my prayers the community of Rocklin, Rocklin Police Dept., Matt's family and girlfriend.

It seems that Matt touched lots of friends; that is what God has called us to be A DIFFERENCE and Matt did his job in a social, professional and spiritual level.

After reading this incident and reflections, it is why I take aggresive actions toward DUI's. To en sure these unresponsible / careless drivers get arrested and convicted.

Matt thank you for being who you were, even then I never met you. Also thank you for being a servant through your service.

You did your job by being faithful to God, your family / girlfriend, job and community. You've been rewarded by entering through the gates of heaven. Brother, rest in peace. We'll take it from here.


J.Ortega
Police Officer
Homestead Police Dept. Homestead, Fl.

Police Officer J.Ortega
Homestead Police Department, Homestead Fl.

November 8, 2005

Thank you for your service.

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

November 7, 2005

Matt,
I want to thank you for showing us all how to love life. I will never forget your awesome smile or your contagious laugh. Though you are no longer here in body, I hold you in my heart everyday. May memories keep us, until we meet again.
Love-Michelle

Dispatcher Michelle Buckland
Rocklin PD

November 7, 2005