Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Williams family,
I am so terribly terribly sorry for your loss. This incident was tragic and senseless. No family should ever have to face this sort of tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult and tragic time.

Laura C.
Wife of a SPPD officer

September 30, 2006

I am grateful for Deputy Sheriff Matt Williams' service. And I share in the sorrow of his loss. He exemplifies men and women who love country and serve to protect us from evil. New Beginnings Baptist Church will be in prayer for his dear family.

I pray that he has a great reward in heaven and that his dear family will have the peace of God in their hearts.

May the Lord bless them richly.

John 14:1-3
[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Pastor Stephen H. York
Grateful Citizen

September 30, 2006

Matt,

Just last week you backed me up when a suspect ran. I told you it was just a simple misdemeanor and you replied "it dont matter, i'm coming". You located the suspect in minutes. You were a true cop and friend. I will never forget you. You will always be in my heart.

Deputy Sheriff Scott Walker
Polk County Sheriff's Office

September 30, 2006

God bless the family of Deputy Sheriff Williams and to all the brave members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office
for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

September 30, 2006

OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING THE RESIDENTS OF POLK CO. FLORIDA

SERGEANT BANDY
MARION COUNTY SHERIFF INDIANA

September 30, 2006

Matt;

You have served us professionally and diligently. Thank you for all the times you saved my officers while assisting my squad. You are sorely missed Brother. You will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace. Mrs. Williams and family; you will always be a family member. God Bless you for sharing Matt with us. He was a great man. God Speed!!

Lt. R.L. Schrader
Lakeland, FL Police Dept.

September 30, 2006

Thoughts and Prayers go out to your family. You are my brother and you will be missed.

Ofc. Downing
Clearwater PD

September 30, 2006

May God bless the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Matt Williams and k-9 Diogi.
Two Law Enforcement Officers fell on 09/28/06. I have trained with both of them. It was a honor to have trained with you Matt. Thank you Matt for watching over us while we pursued the coward that night. I know you were looking down on all of us, it was a determination that i have never seen before in the eyes of every law enforcement officer involved. May you two patrol the streets of heaven until we meet again.

To the S.W.A.T team members. Thanks job well done!!!

K-9 Officer Tommy Stokes And K-9 lazer
Bartow Police Department

September 30, 2006

A big thanks to both of you for serving. Promise me when we meet I'll shake your hand and your partner's paw! Did you ever teach him to shake? (smile)

God Bless you both and may God watch over your families.

Bye for now Partners....

Dep. Gardner
El Paso County Sheriff's Office, CO

September 30, 2006

My heart is deeply saddened by this loss, not only to the family of Deputy Williams but to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. My thoughts & prayers are with alls.

Sgt Urs Hoffmann
Swiss Army, MP Service, K9 Unit

September 30, 2006

I did not personally know the Williams family. I am a Polk County resident who is currently in school to go into law enforcement. Deputy Williams and Diogi gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives. His family, friends, and coworkers are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dakri Morgan

September 30, 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 YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Two more brothers taken from us. When will it stop? Unfortunately,...those of us who do this know the answer. The bond between partners can best be summed up in the following...."A partners' friendship is spoken through actions....Rather than through words." Deputy Williams and his PARTNER K9 Diogi walked in places where the Devil would be afraid to go. May God now watch over THEIR family. You both made the ultimate sacrifice, not in dying, but by living everyday on the streets. How many birthdays, Holidays, Anniversaries, and time with family and friends were missed? Too many to count and you paid the ultimate price. When the news coverage subsides, "people" will forget and go on with their "lives." You will never be forgotten by those of us who know. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

September 30, 2006

My condolences to the family and friends of this fine officer and his dog.

Doris Verbeek

September 30, 2006

To Deputy Williams, Diogi, and Family

Words cannot express the pain in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this tragic time. My father worked in uniform for 29 years and I thank God everyday that he made it through. I cannot imagine the pain that it causes to have the officer you love snatched out of your life so violently. My father knew Deputy Williams and speaks so very highly of him. He was an admired and respected man who touched the lives of everyone around him. My family offers condolences to Deputy Williams' family and the families of all officers called home from the line of duty.

Kara
Daughter of Retired LPD Sgt.

September 30, 2006

SUCH THEN IS THE CHARACTER OF TRUE COURAGE..THOUGH IT NEVER PROVOKES DANGER , IT IS ALWAYS READY TO MEET EVEN DEATH IN AN HONORABLE CAUSE. DEPUTY WILLIAMS WE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT IN MEMORY OF YOU AND YOUR K-9 PARTNER.

DEPUTY SHERIFF
JASPER COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

September 30, 2006

You will always live in the hearts of those that loved you!

Our prayer are with you and your family.

Rupert and Linda Alexander

Ret. Dep. Rupert Alexander
Polk County Sheriff

September 30, 2006

I SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND POLK COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE REGARDING THE DEMISE OF DEPUTY VERNON MATTHEW (MATT) WILLIAMS AND HIS K-9 PARTNER, DIOGI. I HOPE EVERYONE THAT KNEW THIS HONORABLE MAN AND HIS DOG WILL CONTINUE TO REMEMBER THEIR BRAVERY, COURAGE, AND THE LEGACY IN WHICH THEY LEFT.

DEPUTY WILLIAMS AND K-9 DIOGI YOUR SHIFTS ARE OVER NOW, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE. REST IN PEACE, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICES...

DEPUTY JAMES E. BRADFORD JR.
BRADLEY COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

September 30, 2006

My prayers go out to the family, friends, and fellow officers that had the priviledge to know Deputy Williams. I watched in horror as the events unfolded on my television. I was thankful to hear that justice was served the following day. May god bless Deputy Williams and K-9 Diogi.

Trooper Morgan
Tennessee Highway Patrol

September 30, 2006

i can't even think of all the pain the family is going through . he was such a great person and so was his partner dioga , we will pray for the whole family . and all the police officers all over the world that makes it safe for us thanks 5-a-towing mulberry fl

roy abney
5-A-towing & recovery mulberry fl

September 30, 2006

Matt & Diogi,
God bless both of you and your family. Your sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten. You and your family will forever be in my prayers. I will see you on tuesday, until then rest in peace "Brother." GOOD Boy DIOGI!!
Deputy Goodrow
Pinellas County S.O.

Deputy Goodrow
Pinellas County S.O.

September 30, 2006

To The Family of Co-Workers of Officer Williams & K-9 Diogi:

I cannot begin to express my deepst condolences to all of you. Polk County has lost two very loved deputies who truly will be greatly missed. I had the honor of meeting Deputy Williams while he was on duty with Diogi. They were searching for a suspect out near the Green Swamp area in North Lakeland about 2 years ago. Diogi was "gung-ho" about tracking the bad guy. And with all the trucks with their "hog dogs" locked up, barking and all, Diogi payed no attention and went right to work. Like a true professional K-9. Deputy Williams showed so much care, attention, and praise for his partner that they were one of the most incredible K-9 teams I had ever witnessed in action. Thank you for everything you have done, for all the lives you have touched, for everything you gave that day, for both you and Diogi will never be forgotten. Hopefully we will one day meet at the gates of heaven! My love, prayers and thoughts are with all during this time of sorrow and grief. May you know that Matt & Diogi are true heroes and died heroes saving thousands of lives that tragic Thursday!

North Lakeland citizen

September 30, 2006

Matt,

our toughts and prayers go out to your family and department. You set out on a mission to be at the front of the battle field when you became a K-9 handler, and you have done it well. You have made everyone proud and will never be forgotton. I can only hope that we as fellow handlers can continue to possess the courage and tenacity you have displayed.

Deputy Sheriff B. Enderle and K-9 Nero
Glades County Sheriff's Office

September 30, 2006

My prayers go out to your family Matt. You paid the ultimate price. As a former K9 handler this one hurts especially bad. Rest in peace knowing that your killer was dealt with by your brothers in blue and is now facing the ultimate judgement.

M/O Gordon Hobbs
NC Wildlife

September 30, 2006

God bless you brother! Your courage will never be forgotten.

Trooper Gatewood
Florida Highway Patrol

September 30, 2006

I pray for the family of these 2 brave and dedicated Officers (Diogi being the other). For not only have they lost a father,husband,son,brother & friend but also a beloved family pet that I am sure was a very special part of the family. Time may heal this tragedy but it will never leave our hearts & they will always be in Prayers. Always remember they gave their lives for the ultimate sacrifice and people should realize that these Officers put their life on the line everyday to protect & serve and that needs to be honored and appreciated by all, Thank you for your dedication and courage to both of you!!! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Lori Quast
Marion County Resident

September 30, 2006