Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Rittenhouse,

Again, I saluted the Sonic as I ran past during the half-marathon last Saturday. It was a beautiful day, and your department did a great job.

Rest well, we will not forget.

Officer Long
Knoxville

April 24, 2009

God bless mate! You passed on at the age I started. Keep an eye on us in Ireland!

Anonymous

April 24, 2009

What a great day!! It could not have been more beautiful out and everyone showed up... runners and more runners, volunteers, explorers, reserves, officers, Chief Joe and Kelly from New Jersey, family, and on and on. I was thinking yesterday morning as I was unloading stuff at the park before dawn how sometimes people don't realize that while they are doing something for one reason it may mean something totally different to another person. The majority of the runners do not know us as a family, and will never have the joy of knowing you, but when they come to run this race it literally and figuratively carries us farther down the road that we have to travel every day without you. And the wonderful family at the PD that continues to embrace us, provides support that I could not go on without. The proceeds this year go to support the newly reorganized Explorers Post 920 (your number), and we also raised enough to donate to your brothers ,who are riding in the Police Unity Tour again, and also help with the race.

I know you just love watching Ethan and Ella!! Aren't they amazing. They had so much fun handing out trophies and door prizes (and eating); Jessica and Scott running this year(Jessica winning in her age group (her goal), and Scott beating the mayor(his goal), Jenny calmly doing her various jobs even more calmly knowing that will help keep her crazy mother a little more under control :), and Karen, anywhere, and every where. No wonder she needs three phones and a radio!(or is it four).

Now Washington is in front of us. I didn't want to go the first year, and then said I would not go back, but now I feel like a part of you is actually there, the feeling is so strong at the wall. I guess it's all of you all being in one place. I really can't describe it. Some things cannot be put into words.

I love you son, thank you for everything. Thanks for making me smile through my tears.

Forever and always,

Momma

April 19, 2009

So far, so good. Right now I'm watching Capt. Kenny wash his car in preparation for tomorrow's race. Your parents have been running around all day trying to get everything ready and tie up loose ends and I am still taking in entries. People actually drove here 8 hours from Mississippi to run this race! Smile down on us, our day will start early.

Karen Joseph
Harriman Police Department

April 17, 2009

Happy Easter Precious Son. This is the only holiday that I actually feel some peace in my heart and soul, knowing that I will see you and be with you again someday. The thought of how beautiful heaven must be just overwhelms me. Every year when we unload the easter lilies in the shop and the smell permeates everything I just KNOW that is what heaven will smell like.

You were in a dream the other night, I did not see you, sadly, but you spoke to me and kept me safe; it was very comforting to hear your voice.

Daddy and I will be going up to your hill in a little while; taking your peeps :); your cards, a lily....placing them at your beautiful cross........thinking about our precious son that we were so blessed to have on earth for such a short while, but your love and our love lasts forever.

Momma

April 11, 2009

Just had you on my mind today and wanted to let you know that I love and miss you so much. All the times you made me laugh and cry, all our good and bad memories. I just really miss you.

Jennifer Cronan
Friend

April 8, 2009

Just been thinking about you Matt. Today is Michael Moore's EOW. Strange, all you big guys gone, but never forgotten.

Former HPD officer

April 3, 2009

Hey brother, its been a while since Ive left you a reflection. However I talk to you often. I want you to know how much I appreciate you and your family. I know you already know that we take care of our own. We finally caught the guy who would try to destroy the honor of the sacrifice that you and the others have made for this community. I sleep well at night knowing he has been brought to justice. We do this in your honor. Love.

Jason
Harriman PD

March 30, 2009

I know you were watching your "Brothers" this morning and saw how everything came down (did you smile just now at my police talk). JJ and D did it perfectly. I love them, and I love you, always.

Momma

March 29, 2009

I miss our times riding together, talking and discussing the future. I watched you grow to a man and learn discretion as it was meant to be used. I miss you and I have always been very proud of you.

Bill
Uncle

March 23, 2009

Ugh! I miss you so much right now...I wanna go listen to some music, grab a green beer, and let you laugh at me and my life! I'd give anything to feel your arms around me right now...
It is, of course, St. Patrick's Day, and right now I remember walking around the streets of Ireland with you. You're walking along much greener streets now...oh, I suppose I mean golden...but I really like the thought of there being a lot of green up there. At any rate, I bet you won't get as many blisters as you did that night in Ireland...
I love you...and miss you...of course.
Forever...
your 'lil sis

jessica lynn
llittle sis

March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day my beautiful "smiling eyes" son. I am trying to picture how green the green must be in heaven. I miss you so much. I miss your laugh, and your silliness, and your sweetness. I miss your hugs, and your care, and your phone calls. I miss cooking for you, calling to wake you up for work (which I forgot half the time and only now with Daddy working night shift do I really understand why you would need me to call sometimes).
I miss ten thousand wet towels on the floor, the notes you would leave me on the fridge, the milk left on the counter, and the cards that always told me I was the best mom in the world. I miss hearing the door to the side room open and turning around in my chair and seeing my son walk in, my big,beautiful son. I miss seeing my 3 beautiful children, together. I miss us...Matt and Mom.

"May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we are together again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Momma

March 17, 2009

Dear Officer Matt Rittenhouse,
From the reflections written in your honor, you sound like you were a stand-up guy here on earth. God always has a plan and even though we often have a difficult time trying to figure out the whys and hows of His plan, we find out eventually that there is always a reason. You are now part of an elite group of heroes who will forever be remembered as individuals who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep the rest of us safe. Your chosen career speaks for itself, the reflections left for you speak for the person you were, the friend you were, the brother you were, and the son you were. May your family rest in the peace of knowing that your memory can never be taken away and that you will always be a hero. HEROES LIVE FOREVER...

LEO Wife and Mom

March 13, 2009

Hey brother, i was just thinking about the "teapot" and felt the need to write you a note. The days still pass but my memories of you don't pass i still keep them close to me. And i still cry like a baby when i look at this page dedicated to you. Jess and Linda please know that i will always love you!

Ptl. Mark Steinmann
Crossville Police Department

March 6, 2009

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever and not for better
Some are gone and some remain

All these places have their moments
With people and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
But in my life, I loved them all

But of all these friends and loved ones
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and friends that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
But in my life I loved you more

I loved you more.

Always missing you

February 27, 2009

Happy Valentines Day My Beautiful Son,
The shop is too quiet without you today :). I miss you, I love you. Always.

Momma

February 14, 2009

Linda,
I can hear the pain of missing your precious son in the reflections you have left, and it puts a fear in the pit of my stomach. I'm the daughter of a fallen officer, and our life will never be the same, but I can't imagine losing a child. I have 3 sons, and my oldest, Matt, is planning a career in law enforcement. At 17, he's getting closer to the goal he set when he was 5 years old. I pray that I never have to write to my Matt as you do yours. I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you and your family. Your Matt died less that 2 months before my daddy did, and it never gets easier. You are in my prayers tonight. God bless you and your family.

Lori Johnson Rowley
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04, NC

February 13, 2009

It will never be a real life without you here.

Anonymous

February 4, 2009

Dear Officer Rittenhouse and Family,

Our department is honored to share one of our patches to be displayed at your department memorial wall. We viewed the video on your website and have read many of the reflections left for you. It's not hard to read between the lines, you knew your job and did it well. Rest in peace Officer Rittenhouse, may your fellow co-workers and family find peace in your memory, and honor in your performance. We stand proudly with you from across the country.

Officer McAbee
California

January 30, 2009

Matt I turned on the tv today and there was Jim Dangle and the Law Enforcement Cheetah episode. I'll never forget you walking around saying the same thing and the J. Dangle badge you made at your parents store before the parade. I still have the badge you made me. No one could make us laugh like you could. I miss you.

Anonymous

January 29, 2009

Happy New Year Matt. Could use some laughs down here.

Anonymous

January 1, 2009

Merry Christmas Matt. Miss you, miss hanging out with you, miss your laugh, just miss everything about you.

Anonymous

December 26, 2008

May the love of the Heavenly Father surround you and your family. May you and they be ever Blessed by Him.

Anonymous

December 26, 2008

The kids are so excited. They have written and rewritten their letters to Santa all month long. Ella finished her last draft just yesterday. She's really hoping for that stuffed Bolt. I told her to wait and see and keep her fingers crossed. She will be thrilled to be getting it from you. --smile--

Ethan's hair is so long he almost seems like a different boy. I thought it would be wavy like yours when you used to grow your hair. But instead of curly it is sooo thick and straight. Very cute. He also wrote very earnestly to Santa. --BIG smile-- I love him so much. He seems to grow up at warp speed these days. Yesterday he was so little. Now he is all about his dad and football and silly dancing and trying to eek more video game time out of me.

We miss you. For the big things and the little things. You are always a part of it all, but it sure would be nice to hear you say something. Ella sat with Scott and I in "big church" Sunday and during the service she drew a picture of herself, her brother and you. With the names above each drawing. She gave me a huge smile as she held it up for me to see. You are a huge part of her life.

I love you.

Jenny Rittenhouse-Guinn

December 24, 2008

Matt, I know this is the hardest night of the year for your family, I know they are missing you so much.
You will never be forgotten.

The Bond Family

Anonymous

December 24, 2008