Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I would like to say that matt was`a`great guy we worked on alot of calls together we just don't understand why things happen but praise god one of the days we will god will explain it all the good thing is just in a few days we all be together in heaven the man like matts dadf has told me before just be ready to go and know where you are going so matt just sit up their in heaven and wait we will be there in a few days

asst chief Brad Daniels
harriman city fire dept

December 10, 2006

The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us.

Rittenhouse Family, I know Matt is always watching over all of you and us. We can count on that.

December 10, 2006

I had a dream about you the other night. I could see you right inside of heaven and you were GLOWING. You looked so beautiful and happy. I hope this brings some comfort to your family. You are missed so much on this earth.

A friend

December 9, 2006

Linda, the internet is a resource I use daily. Today I found this place and was saddened by the story of Matt. I wish I had known of your loss when Matt was killed. I'm saying my prayers now for all the family and Matt.Its been many years and I have often reflected on the past and hoped
you were well. I would love to catch up and share what blessings and time have brought us.I'm still in Litchfield
. Wish I had your email.I hope you see this message and know you miss your son.He was clearly
a fine man to be proud of. Be Well, David

David Wilson
old friend of Linda

December 5, 2006

Matt. I am burning 3 blue Lights in my window this year. One in your Memory, one in Bill Jones Memory, and one in Mike Browns Memory. I bet CHRISTmas in Heaven is an awsome site. Please keep watch over us.

Ptlm Troy Wright
Kingston Police Dept

December 3, 2006

Just thinking about you on thanksgiving. Miss you everyday!

Amanda Redmon

November 23, 2006

Thank you for being the son of my life.
There are no earthly words to say what you mean to me, but our hearts always did and always will know what we meant to each other.

Momma

November 22, 2006

Matt- Things I am thankful for. You. The kids. Our family. The memories. Heaven. Deviled eggs :) (gotcha) And you.


Only for now we live in separate places. But we are NEVER separated.

I love you,
Jenny

Jenny Rittenhouse-Guinn

November 22, 2006

Matt,
I only met you a couple of times while you where on duty so I did not know you very well, and I am a new police officer to the Harriman Police Department but I got the opportunity to meet your family at a gathering at the police department and they are all remarkable people.
Matt I have been put in charge of creating a web site for the Harriman Police Department and one of the pages on the site is about you. In order to make a complete and accurate web page about you I have been reviewing photos, videos, and peoples commits about you on this web site and talking to officers who knew you well.
What I have learned is that the life you lived is not too different from my own, anyway I hope the web page I created about you can accurately reflect what I see here at the Harriman Police Department everyday in the hearts of the officers around me; that your spirit is here with us always.

Sincerely
Kenny Humphrey

Kenny Humphrey
Harriman Police Department

November 18, 2006

Once again the shop is ready for Christmas, of course I stood in the side room remembering...........you would act like it was pure torture to haul those trees up and down the stairs. And then when you would have to get up on the ladder and put the bows on the tops and the ornaments that I couldn't reach even with a ladder, the sweat would pour off of you and I would laugh myself silly. I love you Matthew, I would give my life a thousand, a million, times over to have you back. Whatever it would take......I just wasn't given the chance......I don't know what in the world heaven will be like, but I beg God to not take away being your momma forever. I love you forever and always, to eternity and beyond. Precious Son of My Life.

Momma

November 17, 2006

Matt loved his fellow brothers and sisters in blue with a passion that was amazing. Always ready to back-up, assist, work for--give his heart, time, money, and blood--didn't matter. Matt was always there for us. And always ready with a crazy joke to lighten everybodys day. I am so sorry your family has to be without your precious son and brother. My heart breaks for you. Matt's passion to be a police officer is a badge of honor that you should hold in your hearts that have been broken by his sacrifice.

Brother in Blue

November 9, 2006

Matt---always loved,never forgotten. I miss you everyday.

November 6, 2006

Matt - You are still not forgotten. Not a day goes by that your friends and loved ones do not think of you. We still pray for your family daily. We still miss you the same as we did did that night. God has just supplied Grace to help us deal with it. I just felt it was important to let you know, WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN!

Chris Massengill
Harriman Police Dept.

October 28, 2006

Hey Precious Son,

You know I wish a thousand things, but today I wish you had been here to see Ethan play baseball. Last night was their last game, he hit four home-runs and after the game they called his name over the loud-speaker and asked him to come out to the mound. He didn't know what in the world was happening and he was thrilled when they presented the game ball to him. (Jenny said he slept with it last night.) He always has such a sweet spirit about him. The game ended tied 16 to 16 :) and when he looked at the scoreboard he yelled whoo hoo we both won! It was a very exciting game, Daddy called him Matthew in the excitement of hollering which brought tears. When he ran out on the field for the first game of the season as I watched him it turned into you that I was watching so many years ago. You are always with us in everything we do and you always will be. Son of my life, I love you and I miss you terribly.

Momma

October 27, 2006

Hi Precious Son,

It's a rainy, dark, day out today. I miss you so much, I just need a hug. Two different people that we don't have very much contact with called today and both brought your name up and talked about what you mean to them and everyone that knows you. It is such a blessing and comfort when people do that. I know life goes on for us and other people, and I said that to the person I was talking to and she said life does go on, but Matthew will never be forgotten, she said every life that was touched by you will always remember you. What a gift.

I'm sending you this poem that another parent found, Dad Gordon, his son Michael arrived right before you did.

In the hallways of my memories and in the canyons of my heart, Matthew I will always remember you.

In the soft snows of winter and the hot spells of summer, Matthew I will always remember you.

In the dawn of spring and the dawn of fall, Matthew I will always remember you.

When I am lonely and tempted to be bitter, Matthew I will always remember you.

When I am discouraged and confused, Matthew I will always remember you.

When good news is too good to keep to myself, Matthew I will always remember you.

I will remember the gifts you gave.

I will remember the gift of Love.

Matthew I will always remember you.

I will always remember you, My Son.

I will always remember you.

Momma

October 19, 2006

I love you Matthew.

October 13, 2006

The second anniversary of your tragic death has just passed and you continue to be remembered and honored for your service and sacrifice. May you rest in peace in the loving arms of the One who created you and loves you for eternity.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

October 10, 2006

Matt , your Mom came by the restaurant and gave me a dvd dedicated to the memory of you. I took it home and watched it although I couldn't see most of it for the tears. I realized I had almost forgotten the sound of your voice. Oh, God, forgive me for that. You have such a sweet, kind and considerate mother. I know where the kindness you showed everyone came from. I finally made it through the dvd
and really enjoyed watching it. I could tell a lot of love went into the making of this dvd. May God continue to keep your family safe and watch over all of us. I love you and miss you Matt.Never to be forgotten.

Bea

October 4, 2006

Hi..Matt, It's been 2 years now and we still miss and love you very much. I was out of town on the 16th but I thought of you often. Just wanted you to know I still care about you.
Hope your family is doing well, I have not talked to your mom in a while.
GOD Blessed us all with you.

Lavada Vance
Friend

October 2, 2006

Hey Baby Boy,

Well, it's finally the last day of September, we have pushed our way through it. A lot has gone on this month. We met with the mayors, police chiefs, and sheriff and officially presented the Fallen Officers County Memorial plan. Everyone was very supportive and ready to get moving on it. The police department had a get-together for us at the pd. Sheriff and Timmy presented us with your police badge they had made for us, we immediately hung it around Daddy's neck and he wore it the rest of the time. I loved it when Sheriff said whether he was the sheriff or a bum we would always be a part of his family. I know you got a big laugh out of that. Just can't see Sheriff a bum :). You know how wonderful the new Chief has been to us. I'm so glad he knew you. You're truly still a part of the pd and everyone's life. Everything is so hard down here but you are amazing. I wish I could tell you that a million more times and hear you say "settle down, Mom". Remember when I made that second crazy trip to the hospital and I told you I would love you to "eternity and beyond" and you started saying it silly just to make me laugh?

Always and Forever you are the son of my life.

I cherish every second of every minute I had you on this earth and I will long for you every second of every minute that I am left on this earth.

Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse I love you Forever.

Momma

Momma

September 30, 2006

Matt
i have not wrote in a while. I would like to say its hard to believe its been two years since the last time i saw you. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and your family and have not forgot you guys.
Blake kirkland

Blake Kirkland
durty burd inc.

September 28, 2006

To Matt

September 16th was the second anniversary of your line of duty death and I know that all those who care for you missed you deeply that day as they do every day. Your memory is honored and revered, and to all those who love you there is a piece of their heart that you alone own.

May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire.

With gratitude and respect for your service to man, community and country...Rest in Peace, Matt.

To his family, loved ones, and friends: May you be comforted by your faith and your knowledge that you will be with Matt again one day. The physical body is but for a lifetime, but his spirit and soul will always be intertwined with yours.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD eow 4/24/05

September 28, 2006

Matt was one of the best and most loving people I ever knew. I watched him grow from a little boy to the man he became. He will always be remembered for that great smile. Matt will always be in our hearts and on our minds. Watch over those still serving and protect them. We will one day see you again.

Donna Grisby

September 26, 2006

Well, yet another day goes by that you of course are on my mind. I miss you so much and will always. I went to my mailbox Saturday expecting the normal junk mail but there was a package from your mom. I ran in the house opened it as fast as I could and realized it was a DVD. I put it in and watched it with my husband that never got to meet you. It was great because he got to see how you were. Those drunk stops you had were so funny. I laughed and cried. I took it to mom's on Sunday so Jody and she could watch it they really liked it too. I will definitly cherish that video. Linda thank you for sending it to me.

With love,

Jennifer Cronan

September 26, 2006

Dearest Cousin,
I went down to Tenn this passed weekend to visit you, Aunt Lennie, Uncle Jesse, and the rest of the family. It worked out perfectly. As I drove up to see you, there the whole family stood. As I was walking up they didn't even recognize me! I was like Hey it's Sarah! I would like to think you'd of know who it was right away! It was kinda funny. It was so wonderful to see everyone. It makes me realize how much i care and love them all. it also make me think about how there is and forever will be a huge void that cannot ever be filled. your garden at the park is beautiful. I am going to get your tattoo very soon. I am so excited about it. sweet cousin of mine i wish we could just have one more conversation and let you know how much i love you. I wish i could just have one great big hug. I wish i could just sit and listen for hours to you telling stories of your work. i regret that we couldn't of shared more times together. I watched the video that aunt lennie and uncle jesse gave to me. I laughed and cried. it was an awsome video. i will cherish it forever. i love you.

September 21, 2006