Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Matt,
You are remembered and honored for your service. My heart goes out to your mother for I know her pain.
Kay Wood,
Mother of Deputy Marshal Glen DeVanie, EOW 4/2/03
Alexandria, Louisiana

Kay Wood

September 21, 2006

Matt,

I thought about you all day today. All day at work I had to sign paperwork and date it 9/20 and thought of you. Somehow I even looked at the clock this morning and it was 9:20. So you can imagine my surprise when I got home and checked the mail to find a package from your mom. I came straight in and opened it to find a dvd that had some of your stops and pictures on it. I didn't know that I could, at the same time, laugh because of what you was doing and cry because I miss you so much. It even had the stop of the drunk falling and hitting his head on the mirror of his car. I'll never forget the night you came up to dispatch and showed me that. I laughed just as hard at it as I did then.

I can't believe it's been 2 years since you've left us. Time seems to have flown by but I can stop and remember all of my memories of you like they were yesterday. I'm so glad that I have those memories and now I have this dvd to watch anytime I want to remember you just the way you were. I love you and miss you everyday.



Linda,

You can't possibly imagine how much this dvd means to me. I think that the best part of it is being able to hear his voice again since that's what dispatchers always know about their officers.....their voice. Thank you so much for this. I will treasure it always. Your family is always in my thoughts and prayers.

Amanda Redmon

September 20, 2006

Matt,

I can't believe 2 years have past since you left us. It does just seem like yesterday. I think of you so often and all the fun Kasey, you, and me had. I also have those fun memories of when we were in junior high and going to church camp those were the days. You were always like a brother to me. I so wish you were here with us but you are looking down from Heaven at us daily still protecting us. In Nov. I will have a baby girl I so wish she could have met you, but she will hear stories about you when she is older. You will always be in my heart and never forgotten. I continue to pray for your family to get them through each day because I know there are easy days and there are hard days. I miss you so much.

Love ya,

Jenn

Jennifer Cronan
Friend

September 20, 2006

Matt...anniversaries and holidays seem to be the hardest times when we have lost someone we love. It is during these times that your memory floods our minds. I can't say that time will heal the hole left in my heart when you died, but I can say that God will find ways to make that hole feel a little smaller. You are an amazing man.

To the Rittenhouse Family- you all are in my prayers everyday especially week.

September 19, 2006

Matt...what do I say? Last night I watched the time turn from 11:59pm to 12:00 am and I thought "ok, here comes year three". Yesterday marked year two. So long, too long in fact without hearing your voice, without giving a hug, without getting a hug, without hearing you laugh. I wanted to be surrounded with everyone that loves you so much yesterday. I love you and miss you. Forver. I'm glad we were put in the same family...I can't imagine anyone else for a brother...and I've never wanted anyone else for a brother (even when we were fighting like banchies)!!
I love you...
Your Little Sister Forever,
Jessica

Jessica/ Matt's Little Sister...Forever

September 17, 2006

Continue to keep watch over your family, friends, and co-workers from above...always.

Jennifer Aaron
Wife of Duke G. Aaron, III (EOW 07/20/04)

September 17, 2006

Just wanted you to know that I have not forgotten you, and I never will. Your picture still sits with Clint's in our Living Room, most people think it's Clint when they first see it but I tell them that it's Officer Matt Rittenhouse from Harriman P.D. Tennessee. I also have my blue candles burning.
I know that today is no easier than it was two years ago for your mom and dad and family. Take care of them and watch over them, tell Clint we love him and miss him.

Connie Barker Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04 Prattville, Al

September 16, 2006

Two years, even though you are not here you are here with us always. Missing you so...

Jama

September 16, 2006

Today is two years since you left us. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about you and your funny ways. Your mom doesn't forget any of our birthdays she brought some delicious food to the Sheriff's Office for my B-day. I see your family very often at various events honoring fallen heros like you. I am planning to ride in the upcoming Police Unity ride to help honor fallen officers. Chief Joe and Jessica has inspired me to give it a try. Jason Mynatt is also wanting to do the ride. I actually bought my road bike today just need to start training for the long trip. Matt we miss you so much.

Chief Deputy Tim Phillips
Roane County Sheriff's Office

September 16, 2006

Matt, I gotta tell you man, it does not seem like its been 2 years. I miss you as much today as I ever have, and I thought today was going to be really hard and it was until I got home from the PD and watched the dvd your family made me, mine was the only one with our video on it from 330 am on aug 30 of '03, watching us acting like that, like we always acted makes me miss you even more but also makes me laugh harder than I have since that night. Words can't say how much you and your family means to me, I'll always be there for them and I know they will be for me too. I love you man, and I'll see you later.

Kasey

September 16, 2006

TO MATT'S FAMILY:
TODAY IS A HARD DAY FOR YOU. THE MEMORIES OF THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE ACCIDENT START RUSHING BACK TO YOUR MIND. YOU REMEMBER THE LAST DAY YOU SAW HIM, TALKED WITH HIM. THE VOID WILL NEVER BE FILLED. A VOID THAT YOU KEEP AT ARMS LENGTH, BUT AT TIMES IT TRIES TO GET CLOSE TO YOU AND YOU PUSH IT AWAY BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT IT IS GRIEF THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OVERCOME. THAT VOID IS WHERE MATT SHOULD BE. I KEEP THAT VOID AT ARMS LENGTH BECAUSE I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FUNCTION IF I LET IT CLOSE TO ME. THAT VOID BRINGS HURT AND PAIN.
YOU THINK OF "WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN". YOU THINK OF WHAT HE COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN HIS LIFE. THE JOY HE HAD DOING HIS JOB, SERVING AND PROTECTING. THE JOY HE BROUGHT YOUR FAMILY AND HOW PROUD YOU WERE AND ARE OF HIM.
TODAY I CRY WITH YOU AS I THINK OF DON AND MATT. KNOW THAT I AM THINKING OF YOU TODAY AND PRAYING THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU THE COMFORT AND STRENGTH FOR TODAY.
GOD BLESS.

LORRAINE BOND (MOTHER)
HAMILTON COUNTY TN. SHERIFF DEPUTY:
DONALD K. BOND, JR.
EOW: 09.06.01

September 16, 2006

I have a candle burning today for you. My thoughts are with your loved ones on this day. You have been in their thoughts every hour of every day for the past 2 years. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Keep watch over them, especially today.

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

Bob Gordon

September 16, 2006

Your family has been in my thoughts this week, as September 16th got closer. I know in some respects, these last two years have seemed like an eternity, yet the details of September 16th, 2004 remain so vivid in their minds, that it could have been yesterday. I hope to see your parents in a few weeks at Parent's Retreat.

Norie Haas

Norie Haas

September 16, 2006

Of course this morning I see my typo. And I have to fix it... you know me...
Matt, I love you more than the world. This day and every day. It is what our mother told to us and it is what I tell to my children. It is all there is when everything falls away. We are so fortunate you are part of our family. You ARE our hearts. And we love you more than the world will ever know.

Jenny

September 16, 2006

It used to be that everyday that passed after you died seemed to take you farther and farther away. And I was sometimes angry, but mostly terrified of what life would become without you. But you are closer than ever now- I feel it. I talk to you and I know you hear me. I move forward because that is where you are. I move forward because I want to feel your arm around my shoulders again the way I know your brothers have their arms around you now. I want to hear your stories and smile when you laugh. No one tells stories quite like you did... the ones I would roll my eyes at or laugh til my stomach hurt.

I miss you so very much- but even more than that I am proud of you and I love you.

Your sister who loves you more thank the world (a close tie with the little sister, I know)
Jenny

Jenny Rittenhouse-Guinn

September 15, 2006

Matt, not a day goes by that I dont hear something or see something that reminds me of you. The memories I have of you are still so clear in my mind that it doesnt seem like you were called from us two years ago. I remember them like they were yesterday. Me and JM talk about you all the time. I wish more than anything that you were here with us. I pray for your family to continue to be stong. Continue to watch over us Matt and know that we have not forgotten you.

J. Joseph

September 15, 2006

Matt; Never met you , however, I did and won the big race in your memory! What a tribute to a great guy. Your community and family are something to be proud of. Your mom mailed me a nice packet, and your father sure lit up when he spoke of you at the race. I hope to bring some buddies down for next years race and make a weekend out of it. You and your family are in my prayers, I will be thinking of you in a few days (16 Sep). I also always think of you visiting Sonic! Take care buddy!

Johnny Brown
friend

September 12, 2006

To Matt's Mom, I found this wonderful site just recently, as our city (Cleveland, Oh.) buried another young officer. As I read your many beautiful messages to your son, I can't help but think of my own relationship w/ my only son, David. When he was sworn in as a deputy sheriff this summer, he made the 4th generation of LEO's in our family. My dad spent 48 yrs. w/ the Cleveland PD. Police work is just in our blood, and my son has had it in his heart to enter this profession almost as far back as I can remember. Now that his dream is a reality, I find myself struggling w/ fear daily. Truly, it is difficult 4 me to even imagine how you carry on in the wake of such a devastating loss. But 4 what it is worth, please know that others are thinking and praying 4 you each day of your most difficult journey, and especially now as we approach the 2nd anniversary of your loss. Blessings to you and yours, Joanie

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

September 12, 2006

I've been going through some of your papers again, anything to help get me through this week. This is a poem one of the high school kids wrote for you right after the accident, one of the teachers brought it to me. I don't know her, but you do. I hope she knows I treasure it.

FRIEND AND PROTECTOR

While his last breath is gone
his memory lives on
in the hearts of us left here
and those who hold him dear
He was our friend and protector
our authority figure and mentor
In his short time
he brought justice and fought crime
He protected our streets
and brought in creeps
He maintained peace and order
and watched our corridors
He was barely over twenty
and friend to many
He was protector to all
who gave the police a call
He's made his last call
for he now walks in God's hall
At last our friend and protector
is at rest with his creator
We'll miss you sorely
and remember you always.

Kim Valdez

Thank you Kim,
Love,
Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom Forever

September 9, 2006

Soon it will be the 2nd anniversary of your end of watch. I know it has been a very long year for those that love you. Some people will say it seems like yesterday, but for others it has been a lifetime, a world that time has stopped moving. You are a true hero and heroes never die and you will always be remembered by those that love you and the Blue Family will always be sure you are never forgotten. I know your mother, like myself, would trade places with our sons in a heart beat so that you could both be here to live out your life long dream of being police officers. I know Jesse did not become a cop so he could be a rich man, as we all know cops just don't make that kind of money. He did it because he had the heart to do it. Thats the special something a good cop needs to spend a number of years on the job - Heart. It's not the cop he was going to become in 10 or 15 years, he already was that special policeman. Jesse, keep watch over your loved ones and wrap your wings around them to help them with their grief as the terrible day approaches. Stay close to them and protect them. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Chicago Gold Star Father

September 2, 2006

Matt, Today was my first official day at HPD. I know there is no possible way that I could ever fill Fluff's shoes but I'll do my best. Anyway, I have to tell you, your mom made my day today. What a kind and thoughtful mom you and your sisters have. I had been so nervous about all the changes at the department and then came your mom bearing all sorts of goodies for us. I so appreciate your family! Help keep watch over us, tell my dad hi, and remember...no cheating up there at paintball.

Karen B. Joseph/HPD 952-clerk
Harriman Police Department

September 1, 2006

The best memory I have is crashing through that barn at 80mph; destroying a barn dukes of hazard style in 1999, then driving off after realizing we all lived, I don't think you could have a better memory. What else would you expect crusing with a cousin. The Dukes of Hazard couldn't touch it.
P.S. I am still going to kick your soul's ass for telling me to light that cherry bomb and stand next to it because it made "a lot of smoke" when I was 6... I still can't here out of that ear.

August 30, 2006

Matt, I didnt know you all that well but the times i got to talk to you, you always found a way to make me smile. Ill never forget you and the times i talked to you in the mcds dt. God bless the Rittenhouse family

Vicki Puckett

August 27, 2006

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for your service and for your friendship with my brother Billy. I met you a long time ago with Bill and I am sorry it took so long to write but as you know we lost Bill a couple mounths ago we love you both may God bless and keep your family safe in His arms. Bill's little sister
Lynn

August 27, 2006

Hey,Matt... I got some exciting news the other day. I found out I am going to be an aunt. Can you believe that little Erin is going to have a baby? I know you would be so excited for her because ya'll always had a special relationship even when ours wasn't at its best! But I understand now that excitement you would get every time you talked about uncle stuff. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers daily. There will be a whole in all our hearts that could never be filled...the place where your laugh, your smile, your bear-hugs, your goodness is supposed to be. I will always love you.
Amy

August 24, 2006