Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Please God watch over you. Your pain is enough for one lifetime. God rest Matt's soul.

greg ebbert
citizen

October 6, 2006

The sun came one day, then set with a tear. They were partners, Matt and Diogi, by each others side, when it was safe and when it wasn't safe. Lives they changed, many of them will never get to say "Thanks" but its ok, they knew. This day, the sun would set on the ocean side, and many would be without these partners in blue, together they worked, together they entered Heaven. Partners, thats what it is all about, by each others side, when things are scary, and fun too. Today, there are many who are sad, many who are angry, but these two left their mark, and nothing, nor time will ever take that away. From above we have their watchful eyes upon us all, maybe they will look down and keep us from an arrow that flies by day, or the the bad guy who would take us away. Still, there must be joy in the Heaven's as these two entered, and God surely was happy to say "Welcome Home"

To the family and comrades of Matt Williams and Diogi, my prayers and thoughts are with you all. The loss is terrible to us, but God's gain is full of glory.

Officer Scott Parker
Covington Texas Police Dept.

October 6, 2006

Matt was a great person and a great deputy sheriff. He will be missed.

Polk County Narcotics Detective
Polk County Sheriff's Office

October 5, 2006

With the war on terror in the middle east it is easy to forget about the brave men and women who fight the war on crime here in the United States. To Deputy Matt Williams and his family and the rest of the deputies of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, may God look upon on you and take care of each and everyone of you. I may be a soldier who is fighting the war on terror but you brave men and women are fighting to keep our neighborhoods safe, clean, drug free, and keeping the danger in your pocket so that the average citizen can rest easy knowing that you are fighting to keep their community safe. Take care of one another and may God Bless the William's family and the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

SSG Edward Michela
United States Army

October 5, 2006

My wife and I were visiting Orlando Florida this past weekend. We heard the tragic news of the loss of Deputy Williams and his K 9 partner and the wounding of another Deputy. May Deputy Williams and his faithfull partner rest in peace. May the injured deputy have a full and complete recovery. We will keep Deputy Williams and his family in our prayers

Mike Sullivan
Retired Chicago Police department

October 5, 2006

Deputy Matt Williams and K9 Diogi, rest in peace my brothers. Your time here on earth is complete.

Lt. M.A. Hayes
Northwest Police Department K-9 Unit

October 5, 2006

Thank you for your service. You and your K-9 partner are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

October 5, 2006

Matt it was my great honor to pipe you and diogi home. Watching your good friend play his pipes with a halo on his leg was very moving, your brother's in the honor guard did an awesome job. To the william's family, i pray that our lord and savior jesus christ will surround you with his love, and comfort you in your time of grief. Matt was a great man and will never be forgotten.

Piper William Rivers
ORLANDO FIREFIGHTERS PIPES&DRUMS

October 5, 2006

My thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Williams family, friends and co-workers.

Rest in Peace!

Officer R. Grelle
Denton Tx. Police Department

October 5, 2006

it is still hard to believe you are both gone. you were such an easy person to work with, always had words to make us laugh.we miss you already.
our prayers and thoughts are with nancy and the kids

ann henderson dispatcher
pcso

October 5, 2006

My eyes are your eyes, to watch and protect you and yours.
My ears are your ears, to hear and detect the evil minds in the night.
My nose is your nose, to scent the invaders of your domain.
And so you may live,
My life is also yours...

author unkown

P/O John Dunn
Albany NY Police Dept K9Unit

October 5, 2006

Rest in peace brother, while your now riding high above us all, that (POS) will be burning forever. RIP!

SGT RON BUCHHOLZ
SANDOVAL COUNTY SHERIFF RIO RANCHO NM

October 5, 2006

Our prayers are with Matt's family and co-workers. I met Matt at Ventosa Kennels were he came several times to test potential dogs while I was getting a new K-9. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with him and the other handlers from Polk Co. Matt was more than willing to assist the new handlers with any questions we had. He will be missed but not forgoten.
God Bless

Charles Wallace #489
Hall County (GA) K-9 Handler

October 5, 2006

May God continue to bless and watch over the family of Deputy Williams. My brother officers and I were truly honored to attend your funeral service. You and your faithful partner will sincerely be missed. Thank you.

Sergeant
Jacksonville Beach P.D.

October 5, 2006

The Ledger.com did a really wonderful job of covering
the events surrounding the death of D.S. Matt Williams
and k-9 DiOGi. I'm on the opposite coast and felt like I
was able to be right there paying my respects. It's obvious from all the attention he received that he was
loved and respected by those who knew him and by those who didn't. I wish the world was not such a violent place, but I am thankful that the family doesn't
have to endure a trial. I would have wanted to fire the
69th bullet into that sorry individual even though I know
God doesn't want us to repay evil for evil. He will get what he deserves for eternity. My heart goes out to his
widow and his children who will miss him forever and
for the void his co-workers and friends will feel forever.
It seems like too big of a tragedy to endure and I hope
you will draw near to the One who holds our future. My
heart grieves for everyone touched by this calamity.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

October 5, 2006

IT NEVER GETS ANY EASIER TO READ ANOTHER STORY OF A FALLEN OFFICER AND BROTHER. MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY ANF FRIENDS OF DEPUTY WILLIAMS. HE WILL WALK THE BEAT WITH THE LORD NOW...

DEPUTY AND FELLOW BROTHER
CCSD, TN

October 5, 2006

Matt, Diogi, friends and family,

I know all to well the thoughts and feelings you are going through as I lost who I considered to be my partner, K-9 Ofc. Nelson and K-9 Ceaser, not more than a year ago. Matt and Diogi along with Roy and Ceaser are sitting in heaven, guarding the gates.

I sit here reading the reflections as I did once before. No words can replace Matt or Diogi. Know that they gave their life doing and protecting what they loved.

Two songs really hit home after Roy and Ceaser passed, however, now are songs of comfort. "If Heaven" by Keith Urban and "Who would you be today" by Kenny Chesney. Both strike home every time I hear them, but there is a comfort there as well. In Kenny's last verse he states "What gives me hope is that I know I will see you again some day." We will see both of them soon. Until then, know that they are guarding the gates of heaven as they did the streets of Polk County. No one can replace them and they will be dearly missed. My prayers and sympathy’s are with you in this rough time.

"For he is GOD'S minister to you for good. But , if he do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is GOD's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." Romans 13:4

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of god." Matthew 5:3

Rest in peace brothers, we have it from here.

Ofc. Mike Delahanty
New Smyrna Beach Police Department

October 5, 2006

It takes a special person to be a K-9 Officer, God and You're family knows that. You and you're family have been in our prayers. Its sad that you and you're partner are jammed up ready to go to work, when there is no bad guys in Heaven.

410

From all members NTTF
NTTF K-9 Detection Team of Eastern Arkansas

October 4, 2006

As a local prosecutor, I worked cases with Matt, and I found him to be an excellent officer. Matt was one of the two law enforcment professionals I have relied on in the past for expert assistance with motions involving canine practice, along with another outstanding canine officer who is with another local department.

In 2003, I and two other prosecutors went out to the Sheriff's office to watch a canine training session, to assist us in defending use of the dogs during searches in the field. I remember that Matt took a few minutes and walked me through how they do a dog sniff on a car or in a room. It was priceless experience, and I appreciated the help from him and from all the PCSO canine deputies who were there that day, and helped us formulate a strategy to deal with attacks on their work in court. Matt, you'll be greatly missed.

Assistant State Attorney Victoria Avalon
10th Circuit State Attorney's Office, Bartow, FL

October 4, 2006

Matt and Family,

I was honored to get to know you and your family from the beginning. I watched you meet your lovely wife Nancy,marry and start a family. You were always quick to lend a smile and a helping hand as a co-worker and became a quick friend. I saw you leave the private sector and become a Deputy,a perfect calling for Matt. That tragic morning, I heard your name and was in disbelief. Your love of friends family and Country, made you heroic to us all long before that dark day.

Matt,Nancy and the Williams family are forever in our thoughts..

The Esteve Family

Detective Rod Esteve
Winter Haven P.D. - Friend

October 4, 2006

Thank you for your service on the thin blue line. I hope that your family finds the strength they need and that your legacy lives on. You and Diogi are relieved. Requiem in pacem!

Recruit KMH 2648
VBPD

October 4, 2006

Truly welcomed into Heavans gate both were. God Speed.

State Trooper d Osborne/K-9 Coco
Tennessee Highway Patrol

October 4, 2006

D/S Williams and D/S K9 Diogi

I responded to the Command Post the day after. The out pour of assistance was truly amazing. I have been in this job 18 years and have never witnessed something so incredible with all the agencies that responded. May you rest in peace knowing your killer has been brought to justice and that God is the judge and the jury.

To Mrs. Williams

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this toubling time. Know your husband was put on this earth to be a hero and now he is an angel. May GOD be with you and yours.

To the Brothers and Sisters at PCSO

Unfortunelty we have also endured a loss recently. You are in our thoughts and prayers and I know D/S Michael Callin welcomed Matt & Diogi into the gates of Heaven with open arms and are now Patroling the Streets of Gold together.

Dispatcher Jackie Oliver
Orange County Sheriff's Office

October 4, 2006

Deputy V. Matt Williams and K-9 Diogi,

Thank you for your service and protecting the thin BLUE line. We'll take it from here. Reserve me a fishing rod when I get to Heaven brother.

Detective K. Resler
Clearwater Police Department, FL

October 4, 2006

Deputy Williams, his family, & Diogi; Thank you for being a part of the thin line between good and evil. Although I have never met you and I don't live in Polk County, I'll never forgot any of you.

Grateful Citizen
Riverview, FL

October 4, 2006