Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and The Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy 1st Class
Manatee County Sheriff's Office

September 29, 2006

The news of you and your k9's passing came to all of us competing in USPCA nationals. Your family is in all of our thoughts and prayers. May true justice be served to the coward that did this to you. Rest in peace

Lori Van Roekel, K9 Patrol Officer
Sioux City PD

September 29, 2006

K9 Officers and their partners, first in, last out. God bless you brother and your partner. Your sacrafice is not forgotten. My thoughts are with your family and brothers/sisters.

Officer Rodriguez and K9 Caro, Concord California

K9 Officer Rodriguez
Concord Police Department

September 29, 2006

Rest in Peace Hero....Thank you for all you have done for your community and country. It is few who are brave enough to wear the badge, and too hard to say goodbye when you are taken. I know you will be watching over your brothers and sisters as they continue serving.

Daugher and Wife of LEO
Washington

September 29, 2006

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Deputy Williams and K9 Diogi.

While no one who wears a badge wants to be put into such a situation, you and your partner put yourselves into the line of fire to protect those whom you might not have even known despite the danger. While I did not have the privilege to have known you both personally, I am certain that you both have found a place in heaven.

Rest in peace my friends; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Officer Ryan McNeil
Medicine Lodge, KS Police Department

September 29, 2006

may gods peace spread over officer williams familly,and the polk county florida`s sheriff dept.



durant.oklahoma

September 29, 2006

Deputy Williams & Diogi

He will be caught!! I have no doubt that Sheriff Judd and the members of your agency and all surrounding agencies will not rest until the coward is apprehended!
Rest in Peace Blue Angels. You will never be forgotten!!

The Monument by retired Sgt. Hahn, L.A.P.D.

I never dreamed it would be me
my name for all eternity
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face

"In the line of duty" I hear them say
My family now the price will pay
My folded flag stained with their tears
We only had those few short years

The badge no longer on my chest
I sleep now in eternal rest
My sword I pass to those behind
And pray they keep this thought in mind

I never dreamed it would be me
And with heavy heart and bended knee
I ask for all here from the past
Dear god, let my name be the last

Winter Garden PD, FL

September 29, 2006

My humble thanks to Deputy Matt Williams.....a hero and man of honor. His legacy of dedication and valor will never be forgotten by the citizens of Polk county. I offer my most humble condolences to his family, friends, and law enforcement colleagues. May God bless and comfort each of you.

Perry Williams
Douglasville, Georgia

September 29, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother

Deputy Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

September 29, 2006

Rest in Peace Matt. I didn't work with very often, but I was always impressed by your attitude and demeanor. You will be missed.

Officer E. Fazekas

September 29, 2006

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

Dispatcher Ted Smith
Martin, TN Police Dept.

September 29, 2006

Deputy Williams, you and your partner proved you are a heros and you two will be remembered as such.

Special Agent
United States Secret Service

September 29, 2006

God Bless Matt and his family.My thoughts and prayers go out to Matt, his wife and children,and to all the Deputies at Polk County Sheriff's Dept. for your tragic loss.Heaven became a better place today.Thanks for your service Vernon Matthew Williams rest in peace.

Louisville Metro Police Officer

September 29, 2006

To the family, fellow officer's and friends of Deputy Matt Williams and his K-9 partner, I'm praying for you all during this most difficult time. God's word tells us:"to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD." Look to the LORD for comfort, peace and justice; HE will come through.

Patrolman Jimmy Busch
Shelby County Sheriff's Office

September 29, 2006

My prayers are with you Deputy Williams and your family.I want to thank you and Diogi for protecting my home town, I know you will continue to serve from above.You will never be forgotten, Rest in peace Brother!!

Patrolman Shannon McComas
Indianapolis Police Department

September 29, 2006

Rest in peace brother......

FAM
WFO

September 29, 2006

Deputy Williams,
May God bless you and your partner for the service that both of you have given. May you forever be remembered as a hero because of the ultimate sacrifice that both you and your partner gave. People always say that S.W.A.T. is the most dangerous police job, but they never walked behind a K-9 tracking a violent person. There is always a team of S.W.A.T. officers. But as K-9 Handlers, we only have maybe two at the most cover officers. A K-9 handler is ten times more likely to face a situation like you did today than a S.W.A.T. officer. All of the "Thin Blue Line" feel the loss of you and your partner. May you both rest in peace now brother, we will continue to fight the fight in your honor. To the family of Deputy Williams, may God bless you during this time of your lives. Thank you for allowing us to post our thoughts and even though we never met, we all fell the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a "HERO" because of the way he lived his life.
"Either Your K-9 Or Not"

Pfc. Michael Davis, K-9 Handler
Brunswick Police Dept. T.E.K-9

September 28, 2006

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

September 28, 2006

Peace be with you always...

Natalie Jensen
wife of Detective Jared Jensen, EOW 2/22/06

September 28, 2006

Deputy Williams, rest assured that your assailant will be brought to justice now and in front of the Lord. Rest in peace our brother. God Bless.

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse, NY Police Department

September 28, 2006

To the family and co-workers of Deputy Williams and K-9 Diogi, our hearts go out to you in this tragic event that took two Heroes from Polk County today. Our prayers are with you that you find the strength to get through this together. Deputy Williams and Diogi made the ultimate sacrifice that all of us who wear this badge know could happen one day. Our condolences to his wife, three children, and all other family members and co-workers affected by this cowardless act. God bless the Williams' family.

Chris Cook Police Officer
Arlington, Texas Police Department

September 28, 2006

Dear Matt and Diogi,

It was only a week ago we were hanging out and doing some training. You two will surely be missed.

I learned a lot from you in the two years that I knew you.

I can assure you we here will do everything we can you bring your suspect to justice!!!!

Godspeed Matt and Diogi, you will never be forgotten!

Please look down upon us and keep us safe!

Officer K. Keappock
Lakeland Police Department

September 28, 2006

D/S Williams was good friend and a mentor not only to me but too many. He was a great handler and trainer. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. May God be with his family. He will always be with us in spirit.

D/S Kenny Knox
Polk County Sheriff's Office

September 28, 2006

I have always been convinced our pets have a place in Heaven...I imagine, just as in life here, Matt had his dog by his side as they entered into their peace. No fear...your brothers will take care of things down here.

Kimberly
Creek County, OK

September 28, 2006

Its hard to find words to ease the pain that the family friends and co-workers are going through at this time. Even though i did not know Deputy Williams, I am shocked at what happend. Deputy Williams is a hero in many ways, and will always be remembered as one. I just wanted to let ya'll know that mine and several of my friends prayers are with you at this time. Im sorry for your loss. Just know that it takes time to heal after a incident like this.... But just know time heals all things. May God be with you at this time, and ask for strength and courge during this time. I wrote a poem for my brother and i would like to pass it on to you..... I hope it helps in someway. May Deputy Williams rest in peace.

A Real Hero Indeed

A hero is real; it’s inside all of us.
Some show it everyday,
Some hide it away.
You are a hero, it was your job.
To take criminals off the street,
To keep a community safe.
And sometimes it takes a person,
To lay down his own life for another,
And that is what you did.
And what do we give in thanks.
A coffin draped with the America flag,
A 21-gun salute.
Bagpipes being played, and
Even taps.
What do we have to remember you?
A folded flag, a badge, a uniform.
And slowly we will forget the story.
But one thing that wont be forgotten,
Is who you were,
Who you are
And what you did.
That signifies you a hero Indeed!

Brian Betts
Sibling of Ofc. C.R. Betts EOW 12/22/02

September 28, 2006