Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thinking of you and Diogi and thank you for your dedicated service and bravery. You both are true heroes and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 28, 2012

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you and Diogi are truly heroes. May you both continue to rest in peace.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

September 28, 2012

Sept. 28, a day we will never forget. Matt, it is so hard to believe you & DiOGi left us all 6 years ago, seems like only yesterday. The whole day still plays in my mind like it does everyone else. Only the day before you and DiOGi were goofing around in the hall ways with DiOGi showing off , well I think you were too lol I kinda miss the old SO building, because I could walk down the halls and clearly see ya'll....or sit out at the round table and see you swing that gate open with that big smile you always had, and then up pops DiOGi looking over the wall. I would always scream with delight seeing him and run to greet ya'll at the back door for hugs. Matt, you really would have no clue as to how many lives you touched while you were here on earth and how you now in death continue to touch even more lives. You were a one of a kind special person, a real Hero. Our hearts are still heavy, they say time heals all wounds, but, buddy this time it just is not happening like they say. I know you are so proud of Nancy, Chris, Jimmy & Amanda..they have turned out to be wonderful young adults, Nancy has done a great job. And your grand-children..omg you would be having a ball with them just like Nancy. I've made your grand-kids shirts with your picture on the backs and it says This is my Papa! They will grow up knowing what a wonderful person you were. You are forever etched in all of our hearts. This will be the 2nd year we are gathering to toast you & to celebrate your life here on earth. I know, I brought you the damn wrong kinda beer last year but I kinda thought that you needed the best so that's what I brought!! Anyways, if you were here & I handed you a Michelob ultra I don't think you'd turn it down lol Till we meet again Matt, you & DiOGi keep watch over all of us, give DiOGi a big pat on the head & I miss you buddy!! Non Solus..... Oh yeahhh hey Matt.......check your CDPD ~ "Are You Smiling Today"? ♥

Diane Dodge
PCSO ~ FL

September 28, 2012

Matt - Tomorrow it will be 6 years that you and DiOGi left us. You may be gone physically but your spirits still permeate PCSO and Polk County. Thank you for your service here on Earth and please continue to watch over your LEO family as they watch over the rest of us.

Mother of a LEO

September 27, 2012

I Still remember EVERY day brother. RIP my friend 3655K

D/S Boehmler #4435
Polk County S O

August 24, 2012

Matt,
I recently learned of you passing during a K9 tactical seminar. I pass on your memory through my K9 roll call trainings with officers from my own agency, and I will continue to do so as long as I can. You are not forgotten.

Ofc. Miller

May 14, 2012

Matt, we've never met, but just like a lot of us in this profession, we don't. I wear the shirt I got from Diane with pride and I have a lot of folks ask me about it. Well, I tell them what I know from reading on this site and they basically say holly smoke. I'm going on a bike ride on the 5th of May (tomorrow) in Pottawattomie County with the Sheriff's Department for two fallen Deputies in the recent past. I'm going to wear this shirt and tell anyone and everyone about what it means, 68/110, and to remember you and Diogi. I no longer run the streets, but work on the inside of the fence. Rest in Peace and to all of the other brothers and sisters out there, be safe, that's an order.

Floyd Mullens,Sr. FCI El Reno, Ok
Federal Correctional Institution, El Reno, Oklahoma

May 4, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Williams. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 16, 2012

I still Remember Brother.

D/S Bobby Boehmler
Polk County Sheriff's Office

November 21, 2011

Matt,

It's been 5 years since you were taken from us, but it's like it happen just yesterday. It still bothers me a lot that you are gone. You were such a good person, friend, and co-worker. I appreciate the things you taught me and still laugh at how funny you were. You had such a go with the flow personality and you enjoyed life. I will always remember you and respect your work ethic and how you like to be the best K9 handler possible.

As the saying goes a man remember never dies, well I think you will live on forever since everyone here talks about you just about everyday. I certainly will not forget you. Rest in peace brother.

D/S Chris Rice 4502
Polk County Sheriff's Office

September 29, 2011

‎5 Years ago today, I lost a friend and his dog. He was just not a friend nor was this a reg. Dog…He was Deputy Matt Williams and his K-9 Partner DiOGi. Polk County Sheriff’s Office lost a great team..Matt’s family lost a husband, father and a brother. They say time heals all wounds; however, this wound is not healing. Some days it’s almost like it happened yesterday it’s still so fresh in my mind.... Matt you have no idea how much you were loved and are missed by your family and your friends, you are a true Hero, it’s not by how you died that made you one, it’s how you lived and the so many lives that you touched, that is what makes you the true Hero. I continue to make shirts in your Honor and to keep your memory alive. I hope you & DiOGi are keeping the streets of gold in order up there….Give DiOGi a big pat on the head for me for a job well done & I miss you my friend. To Nancy and the rest of the family…thinking of you all on this day…Matt~are you smiling today~

Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office

September 28, 2011

5 Years ago today I lost you brother. You were protecting us against the evils of this world. I know you are always watching over us. I can only pray I make you as proud of me as I am of you!! I love you man! Those are the last words you said to me jusr 24 hours before our world was turned upside down!! Well....I love you man!! Never forgotten and always my hero!

Joe Williams
Brother

September 28, 2011

My prayers are with the Williams family today as they face another EOW, time does not heal the pain in our hearts. We will never forget your heroes... Deputy Williams, continue to rest in peace sir and thank you for your service, dedication and protection to us all.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Deb

September 28, 2011

Matt,
Its almost the 5th anniversary of your passing with your K9 partner Diogi (apache for dog lol, I remember) and it still feels the same today, as it did then...A loss of a friend, brother, Mentor, comrade, teacher, leader and HERO. I can remember sooooo vividly talking with you the morning of 9/28/06...at around 0530 hrs., after getting my first bite with K9 Brix...You were SOOO excited and estatic over my find and apprehension...You wanted to know Soooo much about it and his behavior and my observations, but you had to go into briefing..Then immediately after briefing you called me back to hear my story and the details of the find...thats who you were and what I remember..You had a passion for life and helped mold so many of us that held a lead....You were a TRUE friend and I owe a LOT to you...I will see you again my friend and brother...Until then, I will keep up the good fight and lead by example, as you did daily. Always in my thoughts and Heart.

D/S Bobby Boehmler
Polk County Sheriffs Office

September 16, 2011

Today, as I do many days, I think of you. Remembering you (and Rocky), SW Alpha, Romeo, and Lord, help us both.. 555! These and many more memories bring a smile to my face and at the same time break my heart. You were then and still remain loved very much and will be forever missed.

God bless you, DIOGI, and Rocky too.

Anonymous

June 14, 2011

Happy Birtday Babe.... you would be 44 today.. with 4 wonderful grandbabies... they would be so proud to call you papa.. we love and miss you very much. Love Nancy

Nancy Willliams
spouse of Vernon Matt Williams

March 28, 2011

Deputy Williams and Diogi, you all are not forgotten. Florida is having a tough year. Please watch out for your brothers, sisters, and dogs.

SA Ellen Pierson
US DHS

February 24, 2011

I miss you more than ever Matt. You are now joined by Wes and several other local leo. Memories of your smile, patience, sense of humor, and friendhip linger in my memory. My heart still hurts and I wish I could see you again to tell you how much you have impacted my life. I hope that you, Diogi, and sweet Rocky know how much we love you all. I miss you dearly, my friend.

Prior PCSO #4449 Melinda Dorman
forever friend, coworker

February 22, 2011

I still remember Brother. Miss you daily Matt. Never forgotten. Rest in peace partner. La Familia Intocable 2*

D/S Bobby Boehmler
Polk County S.O.

January 2, 2011

My prayers are with the Williams family today as you face another EOW without your hero.. The pain in your hearts is as strong today as it was in 2006. May God guide you through today and always. WE WILL NEVER FORGET...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

September 28, 2010

Matt, as we approach another year with you gone from our sides I see that you are not gone. You are with us in what we do, what we say, what we train, what we push ourselves and our partners to each and every day. Brassy was shot not to long ago and I swell with pride at how he and the others who responded that day carried themselves and continue to. I will always miss you brother, sometimes more and sometimes less but I will never forget the lessons you taught and never ever your smile! Some days that smile was a really bad omen and other days part of the fun. Rest in peace my friend and please watch over your brothers and sisters fighting the fight down here. La Famila. Non Solus.

D/S TYSON CHOQUETTE
PCSO K-9 HANDLER

September 3, 2010

MY mom worked at his kids school as a security guard and came home and told me about Officer Williams and Diogi. She was there when his children found out about their dad. I never seen my mom so lost for words until that day. I want to say to his family that I'm so sorry for their loss and to Officer Williams and Diogi, I thank you for ALL THAT YOU GAVE!! Our lives are safer because of OFFICERS like you!! GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!! R.I.P.

Victoria Clanton

July 21, 2010

Hey buddy I think of you almost every day and want you to know that you were and are still loved very much by everyone that had the pleasure to serve with you and the community which you served. You have not been forgotten and never will be. I had so much fun working with you on sw alpha. You and Rocky taught me a lot. I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to train with you and Diogi. I think of you now more often. We have had two of our deputies shot and two of TPD officers killed in a weeks time. You are in a better place my friend. One day I pray we will be in the same place together and have the oportunity to reflect on all that has transpired. Until then please watch over all of your brothers in green and blue. Love ya brother.

Emmett Andrews
Polk County Sheriff's Office

July 1, 2010

I still remember Matt! You will NEVER be forgotten Brother. Think of you all the time and cherish the moments I had in your company. Rest in Peace my friend

D/S Bobby Boehmler 4435
PCSO

June 4, 2010

Matt, The kids and I celebrated your birthday today, by to lunch together and watching a movie... I really think you would have liked the movie alot... we also had cookies and cream ice cream cake in your honor... one of your favorites... we all love and miss you alot..

Happy Birthday Baby..

Love Nancy

Nancy Williams
spouse

March 28, 2010