Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The members of the 81st Precinct Conditions Unit extends their condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Williams. The entire law enforcement community stands with you in your time of grief.

81st Precinct Conditions Unit, Brooklyn
New York City Police Department

October 1, 2006

This Tuesday, we say goodbye to you and Diogi officially. But you'll never be truly gone. You've left a legacy for others to follow with pride. Rest peacefully knowing that justice has been done. I pray that God will comfort your family and friends in this sad time.

Dispatcher Valerie
Polk County SO Bartow FL

October 1, 2006

This Tuesday, we say goodbye to you and Diogi officially. But you'll never be truly gone. You've left a legacy for others to follow with pride. Rest peacefully knowing that justice has been done. I pray that God will comfort your family and friends in this sad time.

Dispatcher Valerie
Polk County SO Bartow FL

October 1, 2006

I consider myself very lucky and blessed to have known and worked with Matt and Dioge. I consider him a hero and a friend. Matt I will miss your laugh and humor. Because of deputies like Matt we can sleep safely at night. Now it is Matt and Dioge's turn to rest well.

Rosa Ward
Polk County Public Safety

October 1, 2006

Being sad is an understatement. To all those brothers and sisters at Polk County S.O., I am very sorry for your loss. My thanks also go out to the Williams family and their friends for letting Matt do what he was born to do. All of us have this desire that no one else will ever be able to truly understand. We all live it till the very end, and Matt's ending was too soon. I will be there on Tuesday and bid you farewell, my brother.

Deputy
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

October 1, 2006

Both of you officers will never be forgotten. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job! My heart felt condolences go out to your family and your brothers and sisters in your department. Rest in peace.

October 1, 2006

You and Diogi served your community, paying the ultimate price. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Please watch over us as we continue to serve and protect the communities that you served.

To Matt's family, my condolences and prayers. Being a K9 handler for the past 13 of my 19 years, I am especially heart broke for you all. Matt will not be forgotten in the K9 community.

P.O./ K9 Handler Daniel A. Nowack
Rochester, NY Police Dept.

October 1, 2006

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

(Author unknown)

God Bless Deputy Williams and Diogi as they cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

October 1, 2006

When he gave his life for the people of Polk County, the men and women of the Polk County Sheriff's Office could not be any more proud to call Matt our own. Twenty-four hours later, when his killer was found hiding under a large tree and was shot sixty-eight times by swat team members from five different agencies, I know D/S Matt Williams was looking down from heaven and was proud of all of us. To all the men and women of the public service community who assisted in locating D/S Williams' killer, I thank you for your bravery and service. D/S Williams died tragically but he died with Honor... his killer died hiding under a tree and spent his last moment of life as a coward.

May God bless Matt and Diogi in heaven and watch over his loved ones.

Det Robert Arturi
Polk County Sheriff's Office

October 1, 2006

Brother, you gave the ultimate sacrafice and may you rest in peace. You will not be forgotten....ever.

Deputy D.A. Roycraft
El Paso County Sheriff's Office/Colorado

October 1, 2006

D/S Matt Williams, We love you. You will be sorely missed. You are a mentor and a brother. I am proud of you and what you stood for. You have been a role model for me to follow and for that, I thank you and will hold that near and dear to my heart!

D/S Diogi (faithful friend and partner), we know you died protecting your partner and for that, you should be commended on a JOB WELL DONE. Thank you both for everything, the laughs, smiles and tears. God bless you and your family.

Our prayers go to everyone involved and their familes.

Love always,

Your sister and brother in law enforcement

Sgt. Tatlian and Detective Hilson
Polk County Sheriff's Office

October 1, 2006

So many hearts are broken ....

Rest in peace, Matt and Diogi....

Wife Of PCSO Deputy

October 1, 2006

We (the officers and crew of USS MARYLAND BLUE CREW) serve our country by securing the blessings of liberty and the pursuit of happiness for our fellow countrymen. Deputy Williams' role as a law enforcement officer carries the mission one step further, in that, he selflessly placed his life on the line on a daily basis so that the citizens of his, and surrounding communities could enjoy life in a peaceful and ordinary way.
We honor his legacy of service; we commend his bravery in time of peril; we salute and honor the memory of his faithful and zealous commitment to his fellow citizens, countrymen, and fellow officers.

On behalf of the Officers and Crew of USS MARYLAND BLUE we offer our sincerest respect, humility, and sympathy.

A.R. RIVERA CMDCM(SS/SW), USN
USS MARYLAND SSBN 738 (BLUE)
CHIEF OF THE BOAT

A.R. Rivera CMDCM(SS/SW)
United States Navy

October 1, 2006

My prayers and condolces are for the family and co-workers and friends of Deputy Sheriff Vernon M. Williams. I know there is a great lost of your loved one and a friend.
How do we convey just how we feel when we lose someone we love? how do we explain the deep, loney pain no words can express the hurt and anguish, nor touch on how we feel god shares our tears and gives us his love and he, in time, will heal. as we close one chapter another can begin though the one we love has gone through gods strength in us and hope in our hearts we find the couarge to carry us on.

Deputy Sheriff Juan J. Hinojosa
PALM BEACH COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

October 1, 2006

"Once Again"
By Heidi Sloan, March 2006

There's a phone call at 2 a.m.
I can tell by the sound of his voice
He'll be leaving
He rolls over and kisses me good-bye
Grabs his radio and his gun
And he's out the door before
I can say....

Be careful and you know that I love you
Call me when you can...
Remember it's hard on this end too
Not knowing where you are
Or even if you're safe
But I pray that God is with you
His arms like a Shield around you
Until I can hold you in my arms
Once again...

The phone rings it's a holiday
All our family and friends
He leaves me with another kiss
Most of the friends leave too
They also have to go
It seems most of them wear blue also
And before I can say...

Be careful and you know that I love you
Call me when you can
Remember it's hard on this end too
Not knowing where you are
Or even if you're safe
But I pray that God is with you
His arms like a Shield around you
Until I can hold you in my arms
Once again...

This time the doorbell rings
I can see them standing on the porch
Both with their hats in hand
I already know what it means
I try to be brave
But I fall to my knees
Before I can say...

He was careful that I know
He couldn't call me this time
Now he knows how hard it was
Now I know where he is
And I know that he is safe
And I know that he is with God
And I know that he is watching over us
And I know someday that I will hold him in my arms
Once again...

Once again...
Once again...


Know that you and your family are in my prayers! The thin blue line is not just for the officer's, but for the officer's family that is left behind!

Heidi Sloan, Chief's Wife
Cameron, MO Police Department

October 1, 2006

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEROIC SERVICE,YOU HAVE BEEN RECRUITED BY THE LORD TO PATROL HALLS OF HEAVEN NOW,YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU YOUR FAMILY.

POLICE OFFICER RENE SANCHEZ
BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, BOSTON MA.

October 1, 2006

Matt and Diogi,
Thank you for the dedication and valor that you have given the citizens of Florida. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Williams family and the employees of the Polk County SO.
Godspeed Matt and Diogi.

Sgt. Scott Summers and K9 Kim
University of Florida Police Dept

October 1, 2006

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the recognition that there is something more important that fear. Matt and his brothers at the Polk County Sheriff's Office had the courage to pursue a fleeing suspect guilty of God knows what into the woods. It's a special breed that holds this courage in their hearts. They stand apart. The SWAT team that combed the woods searching for a dangerous coward entered those woods with each man aware they could share the same fate as Matt and his partner. But they also had the confidence they would come out on top, and they did. So I thank you and bow my head Matt, because it is the memory of good men like you and stories of courage like you had that nurtures and strengthens the convictions of all your brother officers, to have what it takes when the moment of truth arrives. God bless your family, my condolences to them and your department.

Det. Kris Kisatsky
Long Hill PD, NJ

October 1, 2006

"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. God Speed brother, you and Diogi's work on earth is finished. Your family and department are in our thoughts and prayers.

Chief Corey Sloan
Cameron, MO Police Department

October 1, 2006

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.

Chorus

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on.

Chorus

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my condemners, so with you my grace shall deal; Let the Hero, born of woman; crush the serpent with His heel, Since God is marching on."

Chorus

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat: Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on.

Chorus

In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

Chorus

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty; He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave, Our God is marching on.

Chorus

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on!

Amen

October 1, 2006

Matt,

I can't believe that you and Diogi are gone. It is all still so surreal. I was just joking with you and playing with Diogi. You always made me laugh... even if I didnt want to. I dont think I ever heard you complain about something you were doing. You set such a fine example for everyone to follow.

I know you had a hand in making sure there were no other lives taken out there while we were looking for the one who took you and Diogi away from us. I know you were looking down on us, helping us. You and Diogi are missed so much. We are going to do everything we can to help Nancy and the kids get through this. We are gonna pull Doug through this too. I know he's having a terrible time.

We love and miss you and Diogi.

PCSO Detective

October 1, 2006

Matt,
Thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom that you shared alot of times with my husband. You were a wonderful teacher, friend and co-worker for him. Your lose is felt by us all very deeply. You were a tremendous man and K9 Deputy Sheriff. Rest in Peace and give Diogi a hug for us all.
To his wife, this is a wifes worst nightmare. We are all here for you. We are all a phone call away.

Wife of K9 Handler
Polk County Sheriffs Office

October 1, 2006

MAY THE LORD PLACE HIS LOVING ARMS AROUND DEPUTY WILLIAMS' FAMILY AND THE POLK CO SO, DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. DEPUTY WILLIAMS IS A TRUE HERO IN LIFE AS WELL IN DEATH, ALONG WITH HIS K9 PARTNER. GOD BLESS YOU, BROTHER IN BLUE.

DETECTIVE RUTILO QUEZADA
SMITH COUNTY SHERIFF TYLER, TX

October 1, 2006

Rest in peace brother, we will continue your watch from here as you and Diogi watch over us.

Trooper M. Jones & K9 Boss
Indiana State Police

October 1, 2006

MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO NANCY AND THE CHILDREN. REMEMBER TO TURN TO THE ONE WHO KNOWS ALL THINGS. MAY HE BLESS YOU AND THE CHILDREN IN YOUR TIME OF NEED. GRADY & JOYCE HEATH

Grady Heath
MASONIC bROTHER

October 1, 2006