Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

There aren't words to express our gratitude to you for the job you did to keep us all safe. May God hold you, May God keep you and may God hold your wife and help her through this tragedy.

Thank you Officer Melchionda for all you gave...Rest in Peace brother..

You will be remembered forever in our hearts.

Sgt. and Mrs. Marc A Bruno Sr.
Union Twp. Police Department

March 12, 2006

To the family and friends of this brave policeman, matthew...May God bless you and hold you in the palms of his hands. with sympathy and respect.

jodi and daughters

March 12, 2006

Our hearts and prayers are with Matts Family and brothers at WPD. Many of us knew Matt and know what a stand-up person and officer he was. May he rest in peace, we will never forget the mark he had on each and every one of us.

Local #85
North Plainfield

March 11, 2006

Rest now Brother, we got it from here.

Trooper
New York State Police

March 11, 2006

On behalf of the Monroe Twp. Police Department, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Melchionda and to the Watchung PD. Your loss is our loss. We share in your sorrow and we recognize the ultimate sacrifice made in the line of duty by Officer Matthew Melchionda on March 8th, 2006. May peace and comfort grace all those that knew him. God bless you Matt, and keep watch over the rest of your brothers as we keep the watch here. Rest In Peace Brother!

Blesed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. Matthew 5:9

OFC. Robert Bennett
Monroe Twp. P.D., Middlesex County

March 11, 2006

As a resident of Watchung, I'd like to thank Officer Melchionda and his wife for all of his wonderful contributions to our town. May he rest in peace and may God be with him and his family.

Rayna Lifson

March 11, 2006

To the officers of the Watchung PD my wife and I offer our sincerest condolences to her former co-workers.
To Lynn, there are no words to express our feelings for your loss.
To Dave, keep your head in the game, you have a bright future ahead and will always be one hell of a cop.
To Matt, we are all stronger for having known you. You were certinaly one of a kind. See you again someday ...

"Who you'd be today" (k chesney)

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
Wear the pain like a heavy coat
I feel you everywhere I go
See your smile, I see your face
I hear you laughing in the rain
Still can't believe your gone

It ain't fair you died to young
Like a story that had just begun
But death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing, no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today

Would you see the world
Would you chase your dreams
Settle down with a family
I wonder what would you name your babies
Someday's the sky's so blue
I feel like I can talk to you
And I know it might sound crazy

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
I wear the pain like a heavy coat
The only thing that gives me hope
Is I know, I'll see you again someday

Someday, someday

Sgt. Steve Spolarich
Bound Brook Police Dept

March 11, 2006

You Were Somebody's Brother, You Were Somebody's Son, You Were Somebody's Husband, You Were Somebody's Co-Worker, You Were Somebody's Friend, You Are Everybody's Hero......God Bless You....

Annoymous

March 11, 2006

REST IN PEACE......

Detective
Passaic County Prosecutor's Office

March 11, 2006

Although I didnt know Matt, I had heard of him and what great cops the Melchionda boys are. I see how his death has affected several of my officers, and I know he was someone special. My thoughts are with his family, and the officers of the Watchung P.D.

Dispatcher Scott M. Wiecenski
North Plainfield Police Dept.

March 11, 2006

"There Is No Greater Gift Than He Who Lays Down His Life For His Friends".. Rest In Peace Matt.. My Sincere Condolences For His Family, Friends and Collegues...

Tina Marie Toronto

March 11, 2006

Matt meant alot to us working in the town next door. Not only did we see him on the road while we were working but we hung out with him as friends off duty. He was so friendly, had such a quick wit and smile, and on top of that he was a smart, motivated police officer. The Berkeley Heights Police Department will never forget Matt, we lost a true brother. On behalf of all of the members of Berkeley Heights PBA 144, stay strong Melchionda family and Watchung P.D.

Ernie Schmidt, Patrolman
Berkeley Heights Police, NJ

March 11, 2006

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE,,,
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER AS YOU WIPE YOU TEARS THE JOY I HAVE KNWON THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

BROTHER, THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN TO LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR ANOTHER...MAY YOU REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

March 11, 2006

IN MY DARKEST HOUR

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not here. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints of snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight;
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

author:UNKNOWN

SCO J.MANDY
NJDOC

March 11, 2006

Rest in peace, our sincere condolances go out to P/O Melchionda's family and friends, as well as our brother and sisters at the Watchung PD.

Dispatcher Tomasso Campisi
Union County Police Department, NJ

March 11, 2006

During this difficult and tragic time, please take comfort that Officer Matthew Melchionda, made the ultimate sacrafice protecting and serving the community of Watchung.

Ptl. Michael Farrell
Washington Township (Mercer County)

March 11, 2006

To the family of PO Matthew Melchionda, although not all of us know him, the memory of his efforts and successes will be with all of us in our hearts. His spirit will be with us as we ride to remember.

PS Ralph Guterson
Swiss Army, MP, UN Mission Kosovo (KFOR)

March 11, 2006

Thank you for your committment, thank you for your service. Rest in peace.

Officer K. Smith
Pasadena Police Department

March 11, 2006

I NEVER KNEW YOU, HOWEVER I AM FROM SOMERSET COUNTY AND THIS MOST CERTAINLY IS TOO CLOSE TO HOME. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

Senior Corrections Officer
NJDOC

March 11, 2006

Rest in peace my fellow brother my condolences are with your family and friends

P/O Sherdan
NYPD

March 11, 2006

My sincerest condolences to your family.

Captain Stephen Schwartz, Ret
Margate City Police Dept

March 11, 2006

Rest in peace brother. We got it from here.

Officer Randy M Taylor
US DOJ

March 11, 2006

Matt, we had met a couple of times over the years and you truly will be missed! One day in the distant future we will all be together again, so save a fishing spot for the rest of us! You and your family will be in my prayers!

PO J.Cahill
Port Authority NY/NJ

March 10, 2006

On behalf of Long Hill Twp PBA #322, we express our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Melchionda Family and out Brother Officers of the Watchung PD. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Officer A. Buerstetta
Long Hill Township NJ PD

March 10, 2006

No greater devotion to sworn duty
can a police officer demonstrate
to God and to man
then to lay down his life
in the line of duty.

God bless you, your family and the members of the Watchung PD.

PO
NYPD

March 10, 2006