Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Redding Family, Jessica,
Our heartfelt sympathies are with you during this difficult time, a difficult time felt by many.

I met the Reddings when working at Raleys on Antelope Road and then ran into them again when we all settled in Rocklin. We watched Matt grow up from a young, quiet little leaguer to a real pro, a wonderful young man!

It was always great to see Matt... from as far back as seeing the Redding Family during Tri-City Little League days, seeing Matt driving down Stanford Ranch Rd in his flashy red car, or assisting us from behind the meat counter at Bel Air in his messy apron. We would run into him at church, local softball fields, Robek's and of course while he was on patrol. Matt always made a point of saying hello. If he was a distance away, he would flash us his big smile, nod and wave. All these years we knew there was something very special about Matt.

Matt will be missed and NEVER forgotten. Matt defintely held a special place in our lives. Thank you Redding Family for raising such a wonderful son. Matt was a gift to many. Like his pastor said, he was the real deal! I pray that God will continue to comfort those who loved Matt, The Redding family, the Navarette family and the Rocklin Police force.

Until we see you again Matt, thank you for making a differance.

The Martinez Family
Sal, Terri, daughters Monica and Micaela

October 25, 2005

I went to high school and graduated with Matt. I am so sorry for you loss. I am proud to see that he became a police officer and was serving our country in a great way. To Jessica and his family- you are in my prayers and thoughts. I will never forget Matt.

Stephanie Thompson

October 24, 2005

Babe, I love you and will never forget you. Since you are no longer here in my arms, I will carry you in my heart till the day I die. No one will ever replace you or the memories we had. I'll love you forever. Im looking forward to the day we meet again. Love your snuggle bug, Jessica

Jessica Navarrette

October 24, 2005

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

October 23, 2005

Your fallen brother was honored on Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:11 am EST via the Tired Angels Radio station the dedication went live over the Internet worldwide we extend our deepest sympathies to the department as well as his surviving family. Police Officer Matt Redding
was honored with our theme song for fallen angels "The Thin Blue Line." Our prayers are with the department and his family.

TIRED ANGELS TEAM
SUPPORTING OUR NATiONS HEROES

October 22, 2005

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

GOD BLESS...

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

October 22, 2005

Dear John & family,
Our deep condolenses on the tragic loss of Matthew. We pray that the many fond memories you have shared as a family through out the years, will help to give you comfort in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Steve & Arlene Vilas
Ceres, CA

Steve & Arlene Zuber Vilas

October 22, 2005

God bless you and your family. Matt you are wonderful inspiration to all. For all my life I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Why this happened when you had everything in life going for you can only be answered by havinf faith in God who decided it was time to go home...it was your time, but we miss and love you. We are mere mortals so it is hard to accept God's work, but you knew Him so you were prepared. Keep close to yoer family Matt ..someday we will all be together. We love you so much Matt!

Betty Reyes

October 20, 2005

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. IT'S SO SAD WHEN A COP SO EARLY IN HIS CAREER IS TAKEN FROM HIS LOVED ONES BY A PERSON WHO FELT THE NEED TO DRINK AND DRIVE. MAY JUSTICE FOR YOUR FAMILY BE SWIFT.

DEPUTY RAMON ESCAMILLA
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

October 20, 2005

I offer my sincere condolences to the parents and brother of Officer Redding. My parents lost my 29 year old state trooper brother many years ago and I know the heartbreak that brings. I pray that God will give you the strength you need to cope and continue on at this most sad time. I also know what it means to no longer have a brother physically present. Carry him in your memories and he will always be just a thought and heartbeat away. May God's perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in His eternal peace.

Anita L. Culosi

October 20, 2005

Rest well my fellow officer for you are at peace with our Lord and Savior. He called you home early but we know he has just given us another angel to watch over us.GOd speed. To your family may your pain be eased by his memories and strength of the love he shared with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lt Rhonda Sanders
Wetumpka PD, AL

October 20, 2005

My condolences to the family of this young Officer. I am the Mother of a Police Officer the same age and..I cannot even imagine the pain you are going through. My thoughts are prayers are with you for the strength that you need to get thru this. I hope the perpertrator gets exactly what he deserves.

A Hero In The Night
Next time a cop stops you because you are driving too fast,
Remember he saved you from that day being your last.
When you think he's picking on someone,
Why not think of what they could have done?
Next time you call him a name,
Would he have called you the same?
How would you feel to see a child beaten black and blue?
And knowing there is not much you can really do.
You can arrest them and hope they stay in jail,
But, too many times it doesn't work that well.
To see the face of someone right before they die,
When he can't but all he wants to do is cry.
To break up a fight, knowing later it will be worse,
And from his help, all that came was him being cursed.
To know that people don't respect what he chose to do,
But day after day, he's out there to protect people like you.
To see drugs sold to a child younger than his own,
Makes his heart ache and long for his home.
The job has no glamour, doesn't even pay well,
He does it because he cares for more than himself.
He cares for you and he cares for me,
He's out there hoping we will all see.
He took a path not many would take,
And he chose it for our sake.
He's a remarkable soul, a Hero in the Night,
When all is well, he's not in sight.
But, if you ever need him, he'll be right there,
Not just because he's a cop but because he cares.
Author Unknown

Brenda
Mom of a Police Officer

October 19, 2005

I just want to send my deepest sympathy to family and friends and the community. We have grown up together and although I didn't get to know Matt as well as others I knew him from Del Oro and Mark too. Nice guys and my first thought and memory of Matt is his smile. One time I was in the gym and my muscles had become fatigued, Matt was around and I asked him to help me, he said "I thought something didn't look right" and helped me. The funeral service was beautiful and really touching, I wish I had known Matt more. We will all miss him so much, but my prayers are with those who are mourning for him. May God comfort you and guide you through these tough times giving you strength. Words aren't enough but please know that I'm so sorry.

Heather Haffke

October 19, 2005

Matt-
We are going to miss you buddy. You are a true friend and you will be missed by many. I am so glad we became friends while working at Bel Air. You have so many friends, it's truly amazing. You have touched so many people. All of your friends and family will live in your honor. We will never forget you, til' we meet again buddy.

To the Redding family and Jessica-
Words cannot express how hard it is to lose a loved one. I lost my Grandmother four days prior to Matt. It is so hard. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Matt is in a better place now, in GOD's house. I remember him every day. He could never be forgotten. That was a beautiful service on Friday. I felt so proud to have been there to remember him and to have known him.

Jason B.
Rocklin

October 18, 2005

I had the privellege to serve as Honor Guard for Officer Redding. I spent several hours, obviously, in the memorial service, learning about this man who worked so close to me, but I never got to know. One thing that struck me was his unshakable faith in God. If there is any good to be gleaned from this tragedy, it is that his faith touched me so much, that I have decided to return to faith. Thank you, Matt. God rest your soul. God bless your family. May God deal with the man that robbed the world of your life.

Detective Joe Rangel
Auburn Police Department

October 18, 2005

Jessica, I cannot imagine the pain you and Matts family are going through. As the wife of a Police Officer, I can only imagine. I want you to know that you are in alot of peoples prayers.

Matt, now not only do you protect a community, you now protect us all. May God hold you in his arms the way he always has. I thank you for all you have done for all those around you.

KerryAnn Ratzlaff

October 18, 2005

My name is Leslie Tutt, from Longview,Texas..I am so sorry to hear of your loss..My son is in the Air Force stationed at Beale AFB..He had attended the funeral and told me how beautiful it was and that I should come to this site..Again, so sorry for loss..

Leslie Tutt

October 18, 2005

God bless you and your family, Ofc. Redding.

Patrolman
Pflugerville, TX Police Dept

October 18, 2005

Matt, while you are gone, you will never be forgotten. You touched so many lives with your smile and strong faith. Though I never met you personally, it is easy to see that you were a fine example of a son, brother, fiance, partner and overall human being. God bless you, your family, and all that knew you during this difficult time.

Kimberly Wiley - Dispatcher
Placer County Sheriffs Department

October 17, 2005

THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD


I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.

“If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”

God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”

"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.

"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"

God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”

-author unknown

Deputy Sheriff's
ACSO

October 17, 2005

God has reclaimed the gift he gave us for 29 years. I am so sorry and may God bless his fmaily.

October 17, 2005

On October 06-2004 Officer Redding came to an auto accident my self and my daughter was in at Whitney Oaks Golf course. He was very professional and helpful. I have a picture of him there during the time of the accident If any of the family, or officers would like it I would be glad to send it Ken Ruth.

Kenneth C Ruth
Farmers Insurance

October 17, 2005

Matt was a good friend and great partner. He will be missed by his friends, officers, and the community. His aggressive approach to law enforcement and DUI’s in general is an inspiration to us all. With only 4 years on as an officer, he had the knowledge and street smarts of a 10 year veteran. Prior to the tragedy, he had just been returning from the jail regarding a narcotic arrest. Matt was doing what he loved best right up to his death. Even in his passing, his spirit lives on in all of us. Several of his close friends have dedicated ourselves to becoming better officers and enforcing zero tolerance towards DUI’s from this day forward. I will miss Matt for the rest of my life until we are together again one day. Rest in peace Kid and we will look out for Jessica and your family for you.

Detective M. Gandy
Rocklin Police Department

October 17, 2005

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We as a police family in chesapeake just lost one of our own, we hate that we have another agency, mother,
father,brother,and family out there hurting. God Bless you.

Disp Kendrick
Chesapeake Police

October 17, 2005

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We as a police family in chesapeake just lost one of our own, we hate that we have another agency,wife,family out there hurting. God Bless you.

Disp Kendrick
Chesapeake Police

October 17, 2005