Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

„Proszę przyjmijcie wyrazy najszczerszego
współczucia i żalu.
Wiem że nikt i nic nie wypełni już tej luki
w Waszych sercach,
lecz pamiętajcie że nie umiera ten
kto trwa w pamięci bliskich.
Przeznaczenie odebrało Cię
zbyt szybko rodzinie i przyjaciołom,
ale nigdy nie odbierze Cię
naszej pamięci i naszym sercom.”

Sierżant Policji w Stanie Spoczynku Jace
Wydział Kryminalny Polska

May 7, 2023

Never to be forgotten. May Matthew's soul forever Rest in Peace.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

February 8, 2023

Our hearts never forget. Thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues. The world is a lesser place without you sir. Forever grateful for your dedicated service.

G. Anne Birkholz
Mother of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD

February 6, 2022

On behalf of the acting U.S. Attorney, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and support staff for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, we honor law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. During National Police Week the focus is even greater that we never forget the officers and their families. Today, May 15th, 2021, we honor and remember you TAC Officer Rittner. Rest in Peace.

United States Attorney's Office

May 15, 2021

Officer Rittner, I just learned of your story. God bless you and your family young man. You are never forgotten.

Sheriff Kevin Torgerson
Olmsted County Sheriff's Office Minnesota LEMA Board of Directors

April 7, 2021

Matt, we met at a veteran event a few years before your passing. It didn't click that it was you, until i went through pictures. God, you were the funniest guy with a even funnier, contagious laugh. May you rest well.

Sergeant Neal
US ARMY

February 9, 2021

Everyone loves you so much. It brings tears hearing your stories of how much I would have loved working with you. Someday we shall meet. We all celebrated your life tonight. Until Valhalla brother

Anonymous
Milwaukee Police Department

February 6, 2020

Amen, thanks for your sacrifice

Shawn Fitzgerald Ritner

December 27, 2019

I have not forgotten you.

Anonymous
Anonymous

December 22, 2019

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Retired Wisconsin LEO

July 24, 2019

Missing you

Sergeant Louise Schaefer
Milwaukee PD

July 22, 2019

My heart is filled with sorrow for the family and friends of Officer Rittner, I am so sorry for your loss! Prayers of hope and comfort and peace from God above. Love to you all from the Mainhart Family.

Pam
Wife of Lt. Kevin Clyde Mainhart EOW 5/11/2017

June 19, 2019

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whose blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC

April 14, 2019

God Speed Brother

Deputy Tim Duvall
Boyd County KY Sheriffs Department

April 7, 2019

So Sorry for the loss, I pray that GOD will watch over the family and fellow officers that served with this officer. May God give some sense of peace. We all lose when a LEO falls. Take hope in the fact they are now patrolling Heavens Streets. Again my deepest regrets for the loss.

B.J.Umbenhower
D.A.V. CHAPTER 11 Springfield, Missouri Color Guard.
Son of Chief of Police.Deceased
Their watch is over, now they patrol in Heaven.

March 20, 2019

I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice although that doesn't seem to be enough. You will not be forgotten. Deepest sympathy to your friends, family and coworkers. RIP.

Marie C
NJ citizen

March 19, 2019

RIP Officer Rittner. My sympathies are with your family, colleagues and friends.

SFC William Farrell
US Army Military Police, Ret

March 14, 2019

God Speed Brother

Deputy Tim Duvall
Boyd County KY Sheriffs Department

March 7, 2019

Thank you, Matt

Civilian Mark Johnson
Schaumburg, IL

February 19, 2019

Thank you for your 17 years of service and the sacrifices you made to protect the city of Milwaukee. Prayers go out to you, your loved ones and the Department. Rest in Peace, Officer Rittner.

Daniel S. Meltzer
Civilian supporter

" 'Bessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God' (Matt. 5:9)."

February 17, 2019

Gone, but never forgotten! Matthew, your life has both inspired me, and reminded me why I have chosen to pursue this career. Rest in peace!

Criminal Justice Student Evan Nosacek

February 15, 2019

As a Retired LEO, it especially hits home to lose a young Officer and Marine of such good caliber. To his Wife, Son, Family, and fellow Officers and members of the MPD and his Military Family, may you remember Matt for all the good he has done in his short life. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice.

D Gorecki ID Tech
Milwaukee Police Department (RETIRED)

February 15, 2019

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are a Hero Office Rittner. Thank you for doing your job. Rest in peace Dear Brother. God bless. "HEROES LIVE FOREVER"

Surviving Sister Of Deputy Sheriff Steve

February 14, 2019

My condolences to the family and friends of Police Officer Matthew Rittner. Losing a loved one is always difficult. Please take comfort in Jesus words found at John 5:28,29 where he said that there would be a resurrection. Just think of the time when you will see your loved ones again, in paradise conditions, here on earth. I am sorry for your lost.

Cpl. William Stanback (Retired)
Pennsylvania State Police

February 14, 2019

Rest In Peace sir

Just a police supporter

February 13, 2019