Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I see your beautiful smiling face every where I look.

Momma

February 2, 2013

You are always remembered.

friend

January 29, 2013

Matt,

Thinking about you Buddy. Starting year 9. Even though for some reason it was not listed as such in the newspaper, we all know and are honored that the Officer of the Year award is the "Officer of the Year Matthew Rittenhouse Memorial Award". We miss you and remember your love of police work. You had to be forced to go home sometimes. Watch over us.

Friend

January 8, 2013

Matt - I am thinking of you tonight as I do often. Alot of people don't understand why certain types of people like working midnights. As I have gotten older midnights are still my favorite but with a family now there is more reason to want to be home. The evening shift, the midnight shift is when most of the "action" happens. And even if it doesn't happen there is rarely people around to aggravate you, you can just ride with the radio on waiting on the next call. We know heaven is be more amazing than the words of the Bible can describe it, it has to be; law enforcement is a pretty amazing job with lots of rewards. Great exciting moments, funny situations and a brotherhood that sticks together and never forgets. So to top some of those great moments, to top those great feelings of reward, heaven has to be a truly amazing place. I think the best part about heaven is that we will never again have to say good bye. We will never again have the feeling of helplessness when a brother or sister is taken.

We miss you buddy and it is intensified by the pain that we know your family feels deeper than anyone. We know that heaven is a truly amazing place that believers will someday see, but it is made sweeter by the loveones that await us. Send extra special things your families way, the still miss you so very much. We all do...

Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriff's Office

January 6, 2013

My Son how I miss you. I keep seeing your smiling face everywhere I look; memories just keep flooding my mind. I want to wrap my arms around you and never let go. It has been a tough season; losing Sarge has made the house seem very empty, but at least he is with you. You know how much we love you and miss you. I tried to do good by you with your presents but nobody could really match your giftgiving. Our greatest gift was and is you.

Merry Christmas My Smiling Eyes.

Momma

December 24, 2012

Officer Rittenhouse I cannot forget you and the terrible circumstances that led to you making the ultimate sacrafice that so many other Officers have made. I am retired now after having served in Law Enforcement for almost 38 years. I guess you sorta remind of my son who is also a Police Officer. I read all the reflections from people who truly knew you as a Police Officer, a Friend, a brother and a loved Son by a Mother who still loves and adores you. I cannot say anything new that has not been said already other than, Sir, thank you the short time on this earth you had and the job you chose to do. Most do not have the spirit, the courage, and the integrity to do this job, you did. I will continue to return here from time to time to let you know you are not forgotten from people who did not personanly know you, strangers indeed, but not strangers in spirit. Your spirit lives in all Officers and others that sometimes only your fellow Officers recognize. Sometimes only your family can recognize your spirit coming through in others but it is there, always will be, forever. Your light still shines Sir.......Thank you....

Special Agent T.D. Holcomb (Ret.)
Norfolk Southern Railroad

December 24, 2012

I miss you. I miss Sarge. I miss Grandpa and everybody else who is gone. I am just struggling and very upset with the way the world is looking right now and wanting it to be better and nicer and easier. I hope your world is better and nicer and easier...because I love you and you deserve that.

Jenny

December 11, 2012

I am picturing Sarge bounding around heaven with you. I told him to tell you I love you when he got there. Precious little dog, we all cried buckets but it was time to let him go back to you. Thank you for always trying to make things better for all of us; I will always treasure the picture in my heart and mind of you rounding the corner in your patrol car with him looking out the window.....bringing me a "new" dog that I didn't even know I wanted :). I just know I need and want and have to see you again. Soon.

Loving you forever.

Momma

Momma

December 8, 2012

Thanks for the funny adventure in your car this weekend with your sisters and for having a part in making sure things worked out for us. We love you and miss you so much.

Momma (with Jenny and Jessica)

Mom

December 2, 2012

My Precious Son I am so thankful for every second I had with you, I hold on to the hope and the promise that one day eternity will connect us all again and I will feel your beautiful big arms around me and get another kiss on the top of my head. Perfection will once again be restored to my heart.

On this Thanksgiving Eve I thank God for the gift of YOU.

Loving you forever and always, to eternity and beyond.

Momma

November 21, 2012

i got to thinkin about you & our family tonight & how much my life has changed in such a short time. Miss & love you more than anything. give grandpa a hug for me too :)

Olivia

November 12, 2012

Ok, this is funny, I just had to tell you....
A little boy just came in the shop (little meaning late teens or early twenties lol) to get a rose. After which he said "I got up late and am supposed to meet my date in 30 minutes and I can't get my sleeves rolled up right, will you help me?". Well you know how I loved that:) I got his sleeves situated and patted his arms about three times and said"'thanks, I haven't had a boy to take care of in a long time". I don't know which of us thought it was funnier. Made my day though. Just had to tell you, but I think you were already up there laughing at your crazy mom .

Love you MORE THAN THE WORLD!!!!!!!

Momma

November 2, 2012

Little Did We Know That Morning
Little did we know that morning
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

Former Sgt. Amanda Godin
Former HPD

October 17, 2012

Thank you for my beautiful birthday card, I wept for everything as I read it. I woke up this morning thinking of you as I do every morning, picturing your beautiful smiling face and remembering all the cards you have given me over the years.....for such a funny boy you were very sentimental and 99 percent of your cards reflected that. You ALWAYS told me I was the best Mom in the world and that you loved me. I hold on to those memories now and the hope that I will hear you say that again some day. Forever and Always you are the son of my Life and I love you to eternity and beyond.

Momma

October 16, 2012

I will always remember you my friend. Miss you so much today and always. Love you. And love all the Rittenhouse family.

jennifer russell
friend

September 17, 2012

Just thinking about you and wishing that you were here. You will always be missed.

Chief Deputy Tim Phillips
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2012

Matt,

I can't believe it's been 8 years. Seems like it was yesterday we were meeting at Cracker Barrel on Sunday morning after working all night. You'd order the country boy breakfast and put A1 on your biscuits and gravy. I miss you! I'll be praying for your family today.

Amanda Cofer

September 16, 2012

Thinking of you.

karen

September 16, 2012

Another anniversary date of you being called away from duty has arrived and I know the emotional drain this day has on all of your loved ones. Continue to wrap your wings around all of your loved ones to protect them from harm and also help them with their grief. You will never be forgotten as true heroes never die.

"No person is ever truly alone.
Those who live no more,
Whom we loved,
Echo still within out thoughts,
Our words, our hearts.
And what they did,
And who they were,
Becomes a part of all that we are,
Forever."
Poem by Richard Fife

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 16, 2012

Linda, thinking of your cherished Matt today and remembering his service to his community. I know that he is loved, missed, and longed for by his family today and every day that passes. Our beloved sons are forever in our hearts, forever in our souls...how blessed we were to have them.
I am praying for solace for all that called him beloved.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 16, 2012

Thinking of your loved ones today, particularly your Mom. Eight long years apart from her precious son. The passage of so many years is bittersweet. Each year takes her farther from the last embrace, yet brings her closer to the time she will be with you again.

Norie Haas
Mom of Deputy Brian A. Haas

September 16, 2012

One of my favorite books has a line that says, There's a fine edge to new grief, it severs nerves, disconnects reality-there's mercy in a sharp blade. Only with time, as the edge wears, does the real ache begin. I always thought that time would lessen the pain but it seems like the memories get stronger as each year goes by. I try to keep his memory alive even with those who have never met him. I had a lady come up to me at my kids school who said I know you, you taught a Criminal Justice class at CEU a few years ago. You showed us a video of Matt and it made me cry. It makes me feel good to bring his story and life to people who otherwise wouldn't have ever met him.
Linda I'm so grateful that you brought him into this world. I'm so grateful for all the memories I have of him (and for all the times he saved my butt when I got myself into a s**t storm of trouble). Thank you for the package with the Irish Blessing Medallion, dvd and the note. You have no idea how much those kind words warmed my heart.
Matt you'll always be my brother in blue and it'll never be goodbye, its just see you later, in a better place. I miss having someone to say 10-35 103.5 to everytime certain trigger songs play. In valor there is hope and your sacrifice was the greatest possible. I can't wait to see you again and to hear you laugh and get a big bear hug. Then we can figure out who to pick on meow. Love you 920!

Amanda Godin former Sgt. 912
HPD

September 16, 2012

Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day. You so loved what you did and I am thankful that you got to do what you loved. You are remembered by everyone that ever came into contact with you and those that only knew of you. I am thankful that you were given to us and the world. I am thankful for your brothers and sisters in blue that continue to serve day and night never knowing what the next minute might bring into their lives. Thank you to all of you that protect us and serve us. I am PROUD to be forever part of the Family of Blue.

Momma

September 15, 2012

Got up during the night and put your video in........thanks for being right there beside me as I laughed and cried my way through it. How wonderful to be able to look at you and hear you just going about your job and your life. So professional and respectful when you should be, so wonderfully crazy and funny when you could be. I thank you for every second that you gave me as your mom.

Momma

September 11, 2012

Linda,
Remembering you today and Jesse.
It has been almost 8 years and today I know that hurt and pain that you experienced 8 years ago.
Right now I am experiencing the morning after and the tears are flowing again. The reality again is setting in that we will not have our sons for the rest of our lives here on this earth.
God bless you Linda and may He continue to confort you.
Love

Lorraine Bond

September 7, 2012