Harriman Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch Thursday, September 16, 2004
Reflections for Police Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse
Matt - We honor your memory today, we honor the officer you were, the friend you were, the son and brother you were. We know that everyday is tough for your family, 10 years has went by very fast it seems, we know in heaven it is just a blink of an eye and you are rejoicing everyday. Down here is much different, we must carry on without you which is hard, we try to look after your family but your shoes cannot be filled. We will see you soon brother, you will NEVER be forgotten.
Deputy Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriff's Office
September 16, 2014
My Precious Son of My Life,
I keep typing and erasing. I have nothing and everything to say. Ten years is too much. My baby, my giant of a son. So much in between. How can words do justice to you; today I can't find them; I just keep seeing you and hearing you; and needing you. And there you are, always. Keeping me standing, helping me take one more step, one more breath; giving me one more memory, one more story, one more smile. Matthew, My Gift from God.
Loving you through all eternity
Momma
September 16, 2014
It doesn't seem possible for 10 years to have gone by since we last heard you laugh or felt one of your bear hugs. Everyone says grief goes away with time but it doesn't. Its as fresh today as it was 10 years ago. Today instead of watching the Heavens for you I'll be watching the ground for your sign, "In GOD We Trust." We love you brother, today, tomorrow and always until we meet again. 920
Former Sgt Amanda Godin
Former HPD
September 16, 2014
10 years man! Still thinking of you my friend.
Sgt. Charlie Graham
Oliver Springs Police Department
September 15, 2014
The 10th anniversary of you being called away is just about here. People will say that it doesn't seem that long, but for those that love you dearly it has felt like a lifetime since they felt your warm touch, seen your smile and heard your voice. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones. You have not been forgotten.
"The sense of loss does not diminish with time. In truth, the expression 'time heals all wounds' is a myth. For parents, the loss of a child is permanent and mental scar tissue really does not grow over the grim memory. Rather, all tears are expended and a dull ache remains."
by Rose Kennedy.
You have not been forgotten.
Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
September 10, 2014
Remembering Jesse's family, remembering you and hoping that you are OK. (I know just, "ok".) It will not be more than OK until we see them again.
Love
Lorraine Bond
September 7, 2014
I am sitting here watching country music videos like I do everyday because that is all Riley wants to watch (yea, what 15-month-old refuses Sesame St and wants country music videos ONLY!). And CMT digs back into the vault seventeen years and pulls out our favorite country video! As soon as Matraca Berg and the girls start singing I can't help but giggle as I think about the dozens of times we watched and sang that video on the phone together. Every time I look at the year, it is so hard to believe that it will be ten years since you left this earth for your heavenly home. I know you and my mom are having a million laughs every day. She loved you so much--you were the only one she ever liked.
You loved music as much as me, and I can't remember a time when we didn't have the radio going in the background. We went to amazing concerts together. When Eric Church sings, "Funny how a melody sounds like a memory" I know exactly what he is talking about. I think about you every time I hear that like. I am blessed that God gave me those special songs to remember you. The ones that make me laugh, the ones that make me cry, and the ones that just make me smile.
Amy B Macedo
September 1, 2014
Stopped in to say thank you again Sir...Your are truly an inspiration to all that knew and loved you. I was in Law Enforcement for over 35 years, retired now, but I still am in awe of our young Officers that choose to do a job most will or could not do. Indeed this special person is chosen by the job. You sir were chosen. I thank you and all the rest of our beloved Officers that hold that thin blue line. Thank you for stepping up and taking that challenge.
Special Agent T.D. Holcomb Ret.
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police
June 1, 2014
Thinking of you on your birthday brother. Thanks for helping me pedal today you know I needed it.
Deputy Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriff's Office
May 11, 2014
I am quite sure Matt and Michael are stirring heaven up this morning! Linda, you know I love you and your family!! Thinking of you all.
Karen
Harriman Police Department
May 11, 2014
Well Precious Boy, another holiday is winding down, almost have Mother's Day over and delivered starting to get weepy now. Sheriff and Tara just stopped in to wish me Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday to you and then Jack started telling "Matthew" stories... I think we both were laughing and crying. I told him about the necklace you got me for one mother's day when you were about 10 or 11 that has the baby shoes with birthstones in them and that you also added one for both the cat and the dog that we had at the time! Hahaha I will wear it proudly to church tomorrow along with the "diamond" bracelet that you also gave me. Love and miss you terribly. 35 years old you will be tomorrow but always forever 25. The guys are on the Unity Tour now. Wish you could be riding it with them , knowing that actually you are, but you know what I mean. You are the son of my life, always and forever, to eternity and beyond I am you momma.
Loving you
Momma
May 10, 2014
Happy Easter My Precious Son. Heaven can only be sweeter because you are there.
I love you and Miss you.
Momma
April 19, 2014
There is no special reason that today should be any harder than any other day. Today I just miss you terribly- the kids are getting bigger and bigger...life rolls along. But what never changes is that I think of you every night before I go to bed. I think of you every day that I drive over the mountain towards the flower shop and see that rocky cliff that reminds me of your strength. Every time I go to Wartburg I stretch my arm out toward your cross at the side of the highway (which seems like everyday, lol) unless someone's in the car and might think me a crazy loon-luckily I am usually alone.
I just miss you. I will forever carry that favorite picture of the 3 of us at the park and just love it. Not just because I look young(er) and thin(ner) but because you have your big arm around me and Jessica and I know we both felt happy and safe on that day. We all love you. We miss you. But we keep going because you keep going. Thank you for making life here better and helping us keep faith in a better forever.
Jenny Rittenhouse-Guinn
Sister of Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/2004
March 14, 2014
Missed you of course today, son of my heart, son of my life. I see your beautiful smiling eyes and that makes me smile. I love you always, to infinity and beyond
Momma
February 14, 2014
Just stopped by to say hello and thank you. An Officer never truly dies until he is forgotten. No danger there.
Special Agent T.D. Holcomb Ret.
Norfolk Southern Railroad
January 31, 2014
Miss you Matthew you are a great cousin we will meet again someday.
Dr. Ezekiel Nichols
cousin
January 21, 2014
Cleaning out a closet for the incoming baby, found a picture of us. I miss you bro. Feels like yesterday that you left us. I'll see you again one day.
Brother
HPD
January 20, 2014
I love you.
Momma
December 31, 2013
Merry Christmas my precious son. It seems like it was just a couple of months ago that I was sitting here writing the same thing.....shutting the shop down on Christmas Eve getting ready to "get ready" for all the family stuff. Went up on your hill this morning left a card for you and daddy turned around to walk back to the car and the "heaven rays" were just streaming through an opening in the sky. I always feel like God has opened it up just to let us see back and forth to each other. I love it when it looks like that. I love you more than it seems possible to love someone on this earth. Thanks for the awesomely crazy dream the other night.....you know....the one where you were gangon style dancing and hip bumping Jenny at the same time while she was trying to fluff out a Christmas tree that we desperately needed to get out for delivery!!!!!! You are awesome!!! I know Heaven shines brighter because of you and your smile.
I love you my smiling eyes baby boy.
Momma
December 24, 2013
I thank God for giving you to me. You are the son of my life. For every smile, for every hug, for every moment of loving you and being loved by you, I will give thanks forever and always.
Momma
November 27, 2013
You are not forgotten. There is an amazing story about the Roane County Fallen Officer Memorial and you on the WBIR television station in Knoxville, Tn. Rest in Peace Roane County Fallen Officers.
Friend
November 19, 2013
Give Daddy/Grandpa a big hug today and tell him how proud we are for his service to his country....our country...and for the wonderful life he gave all of us.
Loving you forever and always.
Momma
November 11, 2013
You live on.
Friend
November 6, 2013
Missing you terribly today on my birthday.....I am not whole without you. My heart aches to see you and hold you.
Momma
October 16, 2013
Thinking of you today. Miss you.
Rae
September 26, 2013