Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I still recall the morning I turned on the news and saw the manhunt going on for your assailant. It stays with me and your sacrifice has kept me vigilant in my duties as a handler. You are a valiant warrior and a true hero to have given your life for a brother officer. I can only imagine your joy when DiOGi met you at the Rainbow Bridge and how wonderful it must be to walk a beat on Heaven's streets. Rest well, brother. We've got it from here.

PSO McNeely / K9 Kelly
Morganton NC DPS

February 21, 2007

Hi Matt
It has been almost 5 months,, and man it feels like forever
I try to check on Nancy and the kids as ofter as i can , not always easy to get though to them. Matt I know you are watching over us all ,because we could not make it without you. Please keep us strong until we are with you again.
We Love you
I miss you guys
Love Oma Mae

oma mae lewis
sister-in-law (sister)

February 17, 2007

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY MATT & DiOGi ~ we still miss you guys so much here at the SO ~ my thoughts and prayers are with your family everyday ~It's coming up on 5 months since you were taken from all of us, just don't seem real at times. I look at your picture and think ok he'll send me a cdpd soon ~ but ofcourse that don't happen so I'll just send you yours ~ "are you smiling today?" Give DiOGi a pat on the head for a job well done. I picked you up a small Valentine pillow to go down at your memorial the saying was so right and it was the only one they had so I had to buy it. It says ~ "2 Gether ~ 4 Ever" and I thought how approiate is that! I know your flying high and just looking down on all of us so keep up the good job up there ok. With love & hugs for you both ~

Diane Dodge
PCSO ~ FL

February 14, 2007

Matt,

Just stopped by to read the new posts. You and DiOGi are on my mind alot these days. Had a conversation with a shift supervisor the other night and he couldn't understand why I'd rather stay in K9 than take a promotional test.

You understand. I still laugh when they call this "work".

Fly high brother. We'll see you there!

Jason & K9 Eiko
Gulf Shores, AL PD K9

February 11, 2007

Matt, I try to stay up on the awful events that odmp.org so honorably relays to us. I try to learn, I try to remember and I try to pray for those lost and for the families who love them still. I actually learned about you through an e-mail forward that I initially thought was a fake...and now I wish that it was! I'm confident that you and Diogi are just fine; I don't say that in a trite way, nor would I presume to imply that "everything is ok now". My heart breaks for your family and I recognize their grief. Courage is a virtue, one that is reached through regular practice, and one which you obviously possess. For your courage, service and sacrifice, thank you. To your family, no words can express rightful condolances. You are not alone in your sorrow, and you are not forgotten. As police officers, but more importantly as a community and as created beings who strive for the good, we are with you, and we are so very sorry. God bless you.

Reserve Deputy CJ Rusk
Dare County Sheriff's Office (NC)

February 8, 2007

Matt....

I met you once...at a K-9 trial. I thought you and Diogi were an excellent example of what a K-9 team should be. I spent twenty years in the U. S. Marine Corps prior to becoming a Police Officer and I had to bear witness to the passing of many of my friends in similar circumstances to yours. God bless you, Sir! Semper Fidelis! Thank-you for your sacrifice. We all bear witness to the passing of a great warrior, friend, and team mate. ..."we few, we happy few, we band of brothers..for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." ...and you are Matt, now and forever, to all of us that wear the badge. Diogi, Blib!, and Passof! Take care of Matt for all of us. Matt, Bodi and I send our regards to you and your partner; Sir, and hope to join you one day. Once again...

Semper Fidelis!
Bruce E. Harris Jr. and K-9 Bodi
K-9 Officer and K-9 Pensacola Police Department
Gunnery Sergeant(Ret.), U. S. Marine Corps

Officer Harris and K-9 Bodi
Pensacola Police Department

February 7, 2007

Matt, I never had the honor of meeting you, but I was friends with your loving younger brother.Not only were you a hero on duty, but it's obvious you were a hero to your family as well. I can't begin to express my gratitude and sorrow. My heart aches when I read posts or reflections written by your little brother and other family members. I know your rewards in heaven must be great. With love, Alison

Alison
Friend of Matt's brother

February 5, 2007

Matt,

My Hero. I sure do miss you. Everyone here is getting by. I just thought you would want to know that. I know you are doing fine now. You are wrap in the arms of our Loving Father. You deserve it. You lived your hell here, you deserve God's rest. I love you Matt.

Joe Williams
Little Brother

February 1, 2007

As I sit another night, I pray for you and your family. You gave the greatest gift you could give to protect the county in which you loved. Thanks so much!!

Gulf County, Florida

January 30, 2007

4 months today polk county lost a hero,a father a son a brother and a friend.We Will always miss you Matt.Our prayers are with your family.

January 28, 2007

Matt,
Just want you to know that my intention has always been to become a K-9 officer. As a kid, my neighbor was a K-9 officer, and his dog was also Diogi. I always wanted to use the name myself when I get there in my career.

I just started as an Officer in Fl, and was in the middle of my job search when I heard about your death. It reinforced that someday, when I'm able to get into K-9, I'm still going to use the name - in honor of you, and your partner.

Keep watching over all your brothers and sisters in blue.

Rookie

January 20, 2007

Well, another month without you. It is still not real to me. I don;t think it ever will be. I love you and miss you.

Joe WIlliams
Little Brother

January 19, 2007

just wanted to say we still miss you and diogi and think of both you every day. just to let you know were still out here gitin-r-done...we miss you brother

Deputy
Polk County Sheriffs Office

January 19, 2007

WE MISS YOU MATT AND DOGIE! YOU WILL BE MISSED.

EVERYONE
MULBERRY POLICE DEPT

January 18, 2007

Matt,

We lost another law enforcement officer just a few hours ago. He was a Florida State Highway Patrol Officer in the DROP program shot pulling a traffic stop on 27 in Lake Placid. I could not help but flash back to the day I heard you didn't make it. I didn't know you well, but my husband did. You used to stop by our house after our daughter was born, and I enjoyed listening to you trading K9 stories with my husband. Truly, not a day has passed since September 28 that I haven't thought about you.

Our area's pain is still so poignant at your loss, and now a brother follows. Please welcome him as he takes a place at your side to watch over us.

For your family, please know we will never forget the sacrifice your husband, father, son, brother, uncle made for us, and know that our thoughts will always be with you.

PCSO Deputy's Wife
Polk County, Florida

January 12, 2007

Sir, the sacrifice of you and your partner will never be forgotten. Rest easy Brother.

Deputy
Michigan

January 11, 2007

Matt,
Happy New Year to you and DiOGi! I know you are now watching over each and everyone of us and want to thank you. My prayers are with you and your family always! Next 10-15 is for you brother!

Deputy Dave Rosado
St Johns County Sheriffs Office

January 10, 2007

Hey Matt,
Just wanted to drop in and tell you that I sure do miss you guys! Also, I made you another new book for people to sign down at Wabash & 10th street. Seems someone wanted the 1st one and some candles that I left for you & DiOGi. Give DiOGi a big hug for me will ya, and keep smiling down & watching over all of us here that miss you.
Joe~ so sorry I missed meeting you Christmas Eve at Carol's, it would of been my pleasure. Guess I left to early :( but I am glad my son got to meet you! I hear you look so much like Matt. Take care of yourself & your family & maybe we'll meet one day.
Love,

Diane Dodge
PCSO ~Bartow~ FL

January 10, 2007

--"If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." -- Maya Angelou

--"God's finger touched him, and he slept."--Alfred, Lord Tennyson

--"Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to." -- Alfred A. Montapert

Aloha Deputy Sheriff Vernon Matthew (Matt) Williams & K9 partner, Diogi,
Thank you for your service and dedication to your community and your country. You and all officers, (including K9 partners; man's best friend), that continue to lay your lives on the line and pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities and country safe, will NEVER be forgotten.

I personally pledge, (after one of Hawaii's own, Honolulu Police Officer Steve Favela, lost his life in the line of duty protecting our Commander in Chief, President George W. Bush), to become a continuum of the ODMP light. That light is in the form of an ODMP tribute. People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, profession, education, and geographical location can share here. That "LIGHT" comes from within the heart and soul of every person who cares to share a word or two on behalf of each and every fallen officer. Every fallen officer is an hero. The ODMP; Officer Down Memorial Page gives us a place to come together and share our feelings as one family. May we find comfort as we give comfort to the families who have lost a loved one.

As we say in Hawaii, “We are`Ohana.” We are family. God Bless this fallen hero. May we embrace him as one of our own family member; our `Ohana. No one will ever be able to replace either of you for you both were unique and very special. No one; not in this lifetime. May God allow you both to rest in His Divine peace.

Deputy Sheriff Vernon Matthew (Matt) Williams and your K9 partner, Diogi, I wish you, your loved ones, your fellow officers, and friends, peace and love beyond all understanding.

--- May this Hawaiian prayer give all those who read it comfort. ---

THE PEACE OF " I "
KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

Peace be with you, All My Peace,
O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku'u Maluhia a pau loa,

The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke'ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
Ha'awi aku wau I ku'u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku'u Maluhia me oe,

Not the world's Peace, but, only My Peace,
The Peace of " I ".

A'ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka'u Maluhia wale no,
Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

Moana V.C. Molale (Private Citizen)
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

January 9, 2007

Matt and Diogi, Wars will come and go but warriors live forever. The impression you've left and the lives you've touched are apparent through the reflections that people have left for you. Although I didn't know you, I feel like I have missed out on knowing a great person and a great K-9 team.
Chris, I hope you do become a K-9 handler like your Dad and I believe that you too will be as great as he was. You are lucky to have had such a respected role model as a father. I am sorry that you will miss him. If you ever need anything, anyone of us will be there for you. Just call.

Chief Deputy Tom McClelland and K-9 Zeus
Roberts County Sheriff

January 8, 2007

We think of you every day Matt&Diogi...

Lakeland Fl.

January 6, 2007

I did not know you and Diogi but I feel like I did. God bless your family (your ENTIRE family). It is a new year and I hope and pray that all will be well, just remember to take it one day at a time.
Becky
Lakeland, FL

January 5, 2007

God has a new K-9 unit on patrol in heaven one that will be watching over us and protecting us. Even though you are gone your memory will live forever not only in the minds of law enforcement officers but every decent human being. As I watched the event unfold, I have never seen a show of outpouring for a law enforcement officers in the state of Florida then what was displayed by your brotherhood.

May God bless you and you Family and your extended family of Law enforcement officers and K-9s

Retired
NYPD

January 4, 2007

FOREVER MISSED

January 3, 2007

I still have not forgotten....

Lori Van Roekel & K9 Remco
Sioux City PD, Iowa

January 2, 2007