Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Memorial Day 2008

Is every minute of every day for me

Your smiling face I yearn to see

I remember every moment with you

I cherish every memory too

I miss you, Matthew.

With all my love,

Mom


To all who have visited and left messages:

Thank you for the kind and beautiful words and for remembering Matt. Please keep his memory alive by imparting your memories of happy times on this sight. When Matt was in college, he wrote the following as an introduction to a sort of autobiographical:

"We all leave different depressions in the sand of the beach of life.

Some of us leave deep depressions, we make a wide, sometimes violent wake through life. Influence, impression, power, intelligence; these are the qualities which make our footprints deeper, and sometimes permanent, set in the concrete of history books, or memory.

We all strive to leave this type of deep impression to be remembered by others during our days, or after our days are over. But our days are numbered, so we have to squeeze all we can out of each of them, living them to their fullest, cheating ourselves out of nothing. Each day must be valued and savored as if it were the last, no time can be wasted.”

Matt wanted to be remembered and it is for certain that those of us who loved him will never ever forget him. However, it is my hope that his words will be remembered by all here. Each day is a gift and should be savored like fine wine - one of the many things that Matt enjoyed. He was unique, intelligent, tried to always do his best, was brave in so many ways, wanted police officers to walk with honor and strove to have the value of further education mean something in police work. This was evidenced by his achieving a Masters Degree and his superb investigative skills which resulted in successes no matter how large or small.

To police departments everywhere: If you want to honor Matt, reward hard work and education and the intangible qualities of caring and kindness that surely must be a counter balance to the difficult job and, if nothing else, please do whatever it takes to make police cars safer for our sons and daughters who wear the blue. Too many are dying in auto accidents.

> Gone from our sight, but never from our memories.
> Gone from our touch, but never from our hearts.

Matt's Mom

May 26, 2008

Lynn,

I want you to know something, one day I was sitting in Watchung Court. Matt sat next to me and we started talking. I had known him a while due to my job but never really spoke with him. He was so happy and honestly I couldn't figure out why. I asked, what has gotten into you today, he said something I will never forget, he said, the most amazing women in the world is going to marry me. I proposed and she said yes. I wish you could know her, I wish everyone could know her. She's an angel sent from above. Everyone should be so lucky to have what I have. I dont know what I;ve done to deserve this but I dont think I can ever be happier.

These words have never left my mind

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you or him. Im so so so sorry for his passing.

May 12, 2008

I think of you every time I'm on 78 in Watchung. God bless your family.

Trooper

May 3, 2008

Happy Birthday Yesterday, you and your family are in my thoughts everyday.
L,
~S

April 1, 2008

THINKING OF YOU BROTHER, EVERY NIGHT I PUT ON THE UNIFORM. WATCH OVER US AND KEEP US SAFE, YOU'RE ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS

TROOPER 1
STATE POLICE

March 31, 2008

Matthew,

Before you were conceived I wanted you
When you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour
I knew I would give my life for you
That is the power of a mother’s love


Thinking of you on your birthday with love beyond words,

Mom

March 30, 2008

Rest in peace sir. Your sacrifice has not been forgotten!

TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

March 12, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

March 11, 2008

Lynn-

Thinking of you today... just can't believe it's been 2 years. You and Matt are in my thoughts and prayers... there's an angel watching over you every step of the way.

Katie

Katie Holterman
Friend of Lynn's

March 8, 2008

Matt,

I'm thinking of you and your family today. I wanted to thank you for always being such an amazing friend. You are missed every day.

Ptl. Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
BHPD

March 8, 2008

Rest in peace my Brother.

Kevin T Ryan
EX NJ COP

March 8, 2008

To My Beloved Matthew,

Among The Memories I'll Always Treasure:

An unexpected hug,

Your little hand in mine,

Rocking you to sleep,

The sweet sound of your voice.


Always and forever in my heart,

Mom

March 6, 2008

I'll never forget the day I walked into the Watchung Police Station and met Officer Melchionda. He was so polite, professional, handsome and courteous to me. After my unfortunate incident(theft)at a Pet Grooming shop in Watchung, NJ... Officer Melchionda became my hero. He recovered my stolen money, called me on my cell phone and I returned to the station promptly to thank him for his excellent police work. I will never EVER forget the smile on his face as I thanked him and shook his hand. I know that he is greatly missed by many and my thoughts and prayers will always remain.

God Bless Lynn, David, Mom, Dad and Family.

Sincerely,
Brenda Rawles
Plainfield, NJ

Brenda Rawles
Friend

March 6, 2008

Matt,
My birthday is the day before yours, which we celebrated together when we first met, having only known eachother for a few days. What I miss the most is knowing that you are out there in the world somewhere, living a happy life. I don't like that I am turning 32 this year on March 30th, surpassing your age. You were always two years older than I. I wish your family and your beautiful wife all of the courage in the world to survive this tragedy. Thank you for being such an important person in my life and for shaping who I am.

Natalie
Special friend in college

February 6, 2008

Lynn, it was so fun spending the weekend together! We definitely don't get to do that often enough! I am so glad that we met and I wouldnt trade our friendship for the world! I am so glad that something positive came from a double tragedy. Love, Denise

Denise Zimmerman
Wife of NJ State Trooper Bert Zimmerman

January 18, 2008

My dearest Matthew:

It is the eve of the beginning of another year without your smile, hearing your voice and your laugh, enjoying your sense of humor and hearing you say, "I love you, Mom". My heart aches with the pain of living without you. How I wish it could have been me and not you...my pleadings fell on deaf ears. Your whole life ahead of you and now all we have are memories of a wonderful son, brother and husband. I would do anything to have you back with us. I love you and always always will be desperately missing you for the rest of my days.

Love you with all my heart,
Mom
xoxoxo

Matt's Mom

December 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

December 13, 2007

Matty,
Thinking of you and praying for your family as the holidays grow closer. Miss you so much...

Officer Jeanne-Marie Mocarski
BHPD

December 5, 2007

Matthew, I did not have the privilege to have know you, but the job and the last name join us and the tragedy has deeply affected me. Sure you will never be forgotten, because you are loved and appreciated by all.
Next year I'll come to your Country and I'll personally give my salute to you.

Mauro MELCHIONDA
Guardia di Finanza - Roma - Italy

October 26, 2007

We worked together at Airborne Express and we always dreamed of how one day we were going to be Police Officers. That day finally came and as good luck would have it we both atteneded The Somerset County Police Academy Class 23-99.I miss you and often think about you and your family.The fun times and the challenges we experienced together will be with me forever. Your in my prayers.

Investigator Darrin P. DiBiasi
Middlesex Coutny Sheriff- Friend

October 10, 2007

Dear Matt,
Miss you and love you with all my heart. Think of you everyday. You were always so good and so kind to everyone. May you rest in peace my wonderful nephew. Love,Aunt Patti

Patricia Stierle
aunt

October 10, 2007

Matt, although we are separated physically you are always with me, in my thoughts and in the deepest part of my heart. Life is not the same without you my precious son.
Dad

James Melchionda
Father

October 10, 2007

wow... I was fishing up at Round Valley Recreation on 9/29/07 and upon pulling my boat out of the water...my foot kicked up the metallic coin for Matthew 'In memory of Matthew Melchionda EOW 3/8/06 Badge 11'... what's strange about this is that the date Matthew died is the day my brother Victor was born.. I too lost my brother Victor on 10/38/05 when he was only 40 years old.. I know what it's like to lose someone close.. any my prayers are with Matthew's family.. I sent back the metallic coin to the Watchung Police Department...someone with the number 005 must be feeling pretty bad for losing this.. by my returning it...may it find it's way back to it's owner as a reminder of how precious life is and that in a blink of an eye...those closest to us can be taken away 'just like that'... God bless....

Cindy Washkwich
not related

October 3, 2007

Hey brother, its been a while and I think of you everyday. Just wanted to say hello, tell you that you are always in the minds and hearts of those that knew, and loved you. I miss our days of food, wine, BBQ's and cigars and your face always brings a smile to mine when I think of those times. You are terribly missed, always thought of and forever admired. Take care bro. Watch over us.

LD
Friend

September 13, 2007

"A MATTER OF PRIDE" we'll never forget you! SCPA 36-06

Officer

July 8, 2007