Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Linda ~

Thank you for your messages on Jesse's site - as you know it's always a comfort to get a new reflection, and to know that people are still remembering. Your sweet son is also remembered - especially during the holidays. I know it doesn't get easier.....we just get used to it.

I hope you are doing well, and that you find a way to enjoy the Christmas season. My wish for you is that Matt finds a way to comfort you during the holiday, that you are able to think of him and smile a little, that your heart won't heart quite so much. My wish is that you find peace, even if for only a little while.

Take care, Matt's mom forever, and know that you are being thought of with love.

Carin
Jesse's wife

December 24, 2009

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones as Christmas arrives once again. I know your spirit will be present for all those that love you and care about you. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and protect them. You have not been forgotten.

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

December 23, 2009

Linda

Thanks so much for rhe sweet message. I am sorry that this year has been so hard for you, but I understand your feelings of longing for Matt. The hurt never goes away and the pain, pride and love are forever.

Your friend

Phyllis

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 22, 2009

Dear Matt,

I am proud to know your parents and be able to give your mom a hug every now and then. We miss you down here, continue to watch over us and especialy your dad.

Friend and Officer

December 19, 2009

Dearest Son,

Last night was the PD Christmas party. Every time I would hug one of the boys and feel their vest I would close my eyes and be hugging you. Baron was presented the "Officer of the Year Matt Rittenhouse Memorial Award". Karen and I received "The Life of the Party" awards.....the picture they put on it was so bad I was told not to show my grandkids:). I was thinking about you later and hope you are proud of that award.....you know how important it has always been for us to laugh and be crazy.......and I remember thinking after your accident I will never laugh again. Amazingly, I do, we all do. The sadness is always underneath it all and it's a bittersweet life, but it is because of you and for you that we are determined to live out this life honoring your love,your life, your joy, and your laughter until FINALLY we are all back together again in each others arms laughing and crying (there have to be tears of JOY in heaven). So until that time comes, I will laugh and cry for you, my precious son of my life.

Momma

December 12, 2009

No matter what else may ever be happening I will always and forever be thankful and grateful for you my precious son.

Momma

November 25, 2009

Missing you more than ever if that is possible, so many things would be more bearable if you were here and I could see your beautiful smiling eyes and hear you laugh.

Momma

November 17, 2009

Matt:
as tragic as your death is/was i am so thankful that your wonderful family did not have to endure the thanklessness of many of the citizens of Roane county and suffer through court proceedings like the Jones and Brown Families. Your loss is hard enough i could not imagine

Sgt. Troy Wright
Kingston Police Dept.

November 13, 2009

hi sweetest...i just had a dream of you, jen, and me...i woke up missing you so much. it's been so long since we've gotten to talk, since we hugged, since you spun me around, and i miss all of those things desperately. i miss you desperately. i like what jenny said in another post...that they are loving you fiercely...that, too, is how i am loving you. don't forget me down here, matt. i still need you.

jess
'lil sis

October 19, 2009

I love you my precious son.

Momma

October 15, 2009

Linda and family, sorry I missed his anniversary. Your words express so much how we all feel about our precious sons.
Thinking of you today.
Lorraine Bond

Anonymous

October 2, 2009

Matt,

I too, watched the video of you yesterday, and I am not ashamed to admit tears ran down my face. Brother, you are missedby everyone fortunate enough to know you, and by people that only know you by heaing a Matt story. Sometimes I wonder if I would still be in law enforcement if your accident had not happened. Life changes, for the good and the bad. You are not forgotten.

Former LEO

September 17, 2009

Matthew, as i think about what "today" really means to those of us left behind, i can't help but think about all of the lives you impacted. Though 5 years is a long time, it is really short too. My respect for you continues to grow, and i miss you so much. I miss the times we had and can not wait to see you again. Stay safe and please watch over the rest of us!
Love you brother.

Mark Steinmann
Crossville Police Department

September 17, 2009

Thinking about you and your family today. Its been five years that seem like yesterday and yet so far away. The years are going by quickly and the time is short. I pray your family continue to live in strength until they see you again.

Carol Espinoza

September 17, 2009

Linda, your words to Matt always leave me feeling the strong bond we surviving mothers have for who else can truly understand the loss, the longing, the enormity of our heartbreak and of our love for our cherished beloved children. As always, we may be many miles apart but you and yours are forever in my heart's embrace.

Matt, your memory is honored and revered today and always. Rest in Peace.

Anonymous

September 16, 2009

Matt -
We still have not forgotten you or your wonderful personality. We bring up "funny Matt stories" all the time. We ty to love your family enough to make the heart ache go away, but we all know that is not possible. Hopefully we make it bearable here without you. Your family is an amzing example of strength, something that all of us can learn from. Even through the toughest times they stick together and continue to help others. They reflect the life you lived in the way they live. They truly are special people. We know you are happy in heaven, but we still miss you terribly down here. See you soon friend!

Deputy Chris Massengill
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2009

Matt,

I just realized about an hour ago what today was. I had even looked at the clock this morning at 9:20 and said hey to you and still didn't even think about what today was. I just finished watching the video your mom sent me awhile back and thought back about all of my memories of you at dispatch. Of going to Cracker Barrel and you putting A-1 on your gravy and biscuits (yuck!). I miss you so much!

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers today.

Amanda Redmon

September 16, 2009

Praying for your family today.

Thank you for your service.

Rest easy Officer

Deputy and Firefighter
Southwest Florida

September 16, 2009

Never is one year easier than the previous-you are still missed as much today as you were your first day in heaven. Thank you for seeing that my prayers were answered. Everytime I remember how lucky I am, I think of all the people I have loved and who have loved me. So many of us were blessed with your love-you will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

September 16, 2009

Thinking of you and your family today Matt. You are missed by so many

Chief Joe Clark
North Caldwell Police Department , NJ

September 16, 2009

I sit here and just cry... I don't know what to say or do. I hurt so bad for your family. I can't imagine what they go through every day without you.

Five years ago from this very moment... I remember right where I was when Benny called me... he was so upset. I couldn't understand what he was saying. You were too young... it was too soon... there was so much life to be lived.

We all miss you terribly. I miss fighting with you, laughing with you... I could still hear your laugh down the hall at the p.d. I would turn around really fast and you weren't there. But I thank God your memory lives on every day... in the walls of the police department and the hearts of us all.

Please please please... put those loving arms around your Momma and just hold her extra close.

*Linda I love you more and more every day. I may not see you every day but I'm right here... no matter the time of day, no matter where you are or where I am... I will always be where you need me to be. I will love you always and forever.

We miss you Matt,
Rest in Peace

911 Dispatcher, Jessica Whittington
Roane County E911

September 15, 2009

Wow 5 years. Everytime I see a picture of you or think of you I think about the times you come through McDonalds dt and made us laugh with your crazy stories. How I would love to hear your voice and see your smile. Watch over all of us. I will keep your family in my prayers today as I do everyday. We love and miss you very much.

Vickie Murphy
Friend

September 15, 2009

5 long years must be a blink of the eye in heaven. It is what we all wait for while we try to move forward and figure things out here. All the way missing you and keeping you with us. Hold our hands tomorrow and the rest of this month. It is a hard month for us all around and until it is over I don't think any of us really breathe.

Ella hopes her letter to you only makes you happy tomorrow and doesn't make you cry. Because she says that even though heaven has no sadness you HAVE to miss us a little bit. She eventually finished her (very extensive) letter and decided I just really needed to see it- even though all along she said it was 'private' :) The precious baby has written "I have fun at school. And at school I think of you Uncle Matt."

We all think of you, Matt. All the time. Never ceasing.
With all the love in our hearts.

Ethan, Ella, Scott and I are fiercely sending our love to you today.

Jenny

September 15, 2009

Matt, You are never far. Only a moment separates us from you. We love your family so much and are deeply blessed to know them and love them as they struggle with today as they do everyday. We remember you always.

Joseph family
HPD

September 15, 2009

Well Son, tomorrow is almost here and I'm just sitting here looking at the picture of you that I so cherish and shaking my head. How can it be.....how can it be 5 years.....5 years since we have seen you, talked to you, laughed with you, laughed at you, hugged you and been hugged by you,talked on the phone with you, been amazed by you, been supported by you, listened to your latest escapade, rolled our eyes at you......just all around been captivated by you. I've come to the point where I realize I will never fully believe it. How can I. You are so still in every part of my life, but the pain of not having you physically here with me/us to actually live this life never changes, and will never cease until our time here is over and we are whole as a family again. I feel like we have so been cheated; I have asked God a thousand different ways why it is like this now. I don't know the answer yet; so I just try to picture you in heaven strong and beautiful; hanging out with the best of the best, because you are the best. Stirring things up as only you can. And remembering....
always remembering....when you were born, so amazed we got a boy; how you were so never still that I actually considered putting a harness on you at one point; watching you try to sneak a peek out the window at Christmas to see if you got the truck you wanted; seeing how proud you were at Academy graduation. Twenty-five years of memories that replay over and over, always hoping and looking for new ones, so thankful when someone tells us a new story, or stops in with a picture we didn't have before. You are so loved, so missed, so longed for. The only thing that would be worse is if I had never had you. Precious Son of My Life, Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse, I love you forever and always, more than the world, to eternity and beyond.

Momma

September 15, 2009