Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Hi Rittenhouse Family,
i didn't know Matthew, but i roomed with Jenny at JBC. i was just thinking about you and decided to come look up Matthew on this officer down site again. everything that comes to mind to write here just seems kind of dumb, because nothing is really comforting. not even time going by, people say it heals all wounds, but i have found it not to be true. unfortunately.
i guess i just want to say that i know it's hard, no matter how many years go by, and i keep you in my thoughts and prayers. and i can't wait to meet Matt in heaven :-)
love you,
Miriam

Miriam Reibold Hahn

February 10, 2006

Matt.....seems like forever since I saw you. Someone ordered a Double Quarter Pounder today and I almost lost it. I was on my way to work early this morning and a bright star was glistening in the sky and I thought of you, Matt. You were one bright star in every life you touched. I still wear your memory badge over my heart and a lot of folks want to know about it and I take the time to let them know just a little about you.
To Matts Mom and Daddy: know I care for you and will always keep you in my prayers. God blessed you with such a loving son. God blessed us for letting us know such a great person as Matt.

Bea

February 9, 2006

I love you Matthew.

February 8, 2006

Matt,

I can sit back and remember the times that you made me and a lot of other laugh. You made Midnight shift almost bearable. I think back to the paintball fights on the bluff and the ghosts we heard at the papermill. Partner, you have no idea how much your missed down here. I saw you mom and dad a few months ago. Their pushing along. I know they miss you terribly but, they know your watching out for them. we will hold the fort down for ya....Tony

Tony Ruff
Harriman PD TN

January 23, 2006

There are days when I think of you and just cry and there are days when I think of you and laugh until I cry. About a year and a half has passed and not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I sent your mom some photos I found of us...though I promise I kept the really crazy ones out!! Hehe!! I just got National Lampoon's Senior Trip on DVD the other day and it reminded me of you, of course. Weren't we the only ones who found that movie to be so hilaious??!! I still laugh about that Star Trek guy every time. I finally broke down and told my mom about the Spanish book page we were obsessed about...I still have the page we each tore out (sorry, Mr. Strunk and the HHS school system!) to keep to remind us of our times in Spanish II. Remember when you dated my roommate in college??? Crazy!! I remember we came up to Knoxville because you got me Matchbox 20 tickets for Christmas. Of course, you knew that was my favorite band and that was the best gift ever!! We had so much fun, even if you did run into the back of my car with your massive truck that night!

What makes me hurt the most is the way I took our friendship for granted. I feel odd talking about this on a website, but I know that everyone reading this loves you like I do. Somehow, this is therapeutic which explains why I'm rambling on and on. I did take our friendship for granted because I just knew you would always be there. You had left me a message the night you died and I figured I would just call you the next day. Do you know how many times I beat myself up over that???? I think about your family all the time, how much they are hurting because of this tremendous loss and I know you are there watching over them. I read one of your mom's reflections about people always telling you "Matt would want you to go on." It's true, but like your mom, sometimes I just want to hit people who say that. Obviously, you wouldn't want us to hurt, but we can't help it. I know you understand. I got my first law school acceptance letter the other day...do you think people would have ever though I would be an attorney and you would be a police officer??? It's too funny...

I love you so much Matt, I know you know that now but I hope you knew that before you life was taken away. No one could make me laugh or entertain me the way you could. I miss you so much and I can't wait to see you one day soon.

Love you,
Katie Smith

Katie Smith

January 23, 2006

Matt,

Although we lost touch after school, I have always considered you a close friend. I just stumbled across this wonderful website today and have enjoyed reading the reflections. I have so many great memories of you - Senior Trip and the Mission Impossible theme is at the top of the list. You are missed and are in our thoughts.

To Matt's family - I want you all to know that Matt will not be forgotten - He is in too many of our hearts. Your family is always in my prayers.

Perri Johnson Morrell

January 19, 2006

Dear Matt:

Thank you for your ultimate dedication to the badge you wore. You Matt are my hero and to many more. You and your brothers and sisters are what make this world a better place. For you are one of the "special" you will give your life in an effort to help others not even save others but just to help. There are not many in this world like that it appears as I watch the nightly news each evening. Thank you Matt....another Blue Angel......it is hard to understand why so many of you have to go and give the ultimate sacriface....thank you from the bottom of my soul.

Debra
Cole's Mom EOW 4/25/03

Debra Cole's Mom EOW 4/25/03

January 17, 2006

Dear Matt's Mom:

I read your reflection on my son's Coles' page. Of all the people in this world I can probably say I know more how you feel than anyone else. I do not know how we survive without our precious boy's. I know that somehow days, weeks, months, and now years go by and somehow we continue to survive. I was talking to my husband last night. I told him if I could just see Cole for one second, just his eyes with life in them We do not have to exchange words, not even a touch (however I long for his arms around me saying Momma I love you)that I would be ok. Just to see them one second again.........My husband told me that when I see him again that it will be as if we were never gone, and I understand those things. However, no person except the love of another mother could ever understand the longing of one more second of life with their beloved son. My heart aches for you and the suffering I know you have.......if you ever want to talk or to share a memory or to just say anything you want. I am here. My email address is debrahickman@alltel.net or debrahickman@alltell.com.....I cannot even remember simple things anymore sometimes.

Cole's Mom EOW 4/25/03

January 17, 2006

Dear family of Officer Rittenhouse,

I wanted to take a moment to reach out and let you know you are all in my thoughts and prayers as you begin another New Year without your beloved Matt.

Matt's mom - I read your reflections on so many officer's sites. I want you to know that your son is also not forgotten.

I share your suffering. I lost my wonderful husband in the line of duty 9 months ago, and am left to raise two children on my own. This is a very, very painful journey that I never expected to take. When I come to the ODMP I am comforted to read about families - like yours - who have found the strength and courage to continue on. It gives me hope.

Matt and my Jesse are walking Heaven's streets of gold, and are eternally safe in the arms of the angels. We will see them again some day.

Thank you, Officer Rittenhouse, for your service and supreme sacrifice. May God bless you and may you rest in peace, Blue Angel.

Carin E. Sollman
widow of Officer Jesse E. Sollman, EOW 3/25/05

January 10, 2006

I love you and I miss you EVERY day, my precious, precious brother. Jenny

Jenny

January 5, 2006

The calendar in my heart and mind will always say September 16, 2004 until I see your precious smiling eyes again.

Son of My Life I love you forever and always.

Momma

December 31, 2005

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

In Loving Memory of Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse.

We were and are blessed to have shared this life with him.......we will see him again.

Our Love to his family.

December 31, 2005

I am sorry I have taken so long to do this buddy. You know how I feel I hope your family does. Time is not healing the pain. I never got to tell you goodbye the last time I saw you. We just kind of took off in different directions that night at the Thunderplex. I never thought in a million years that would be the last time I saw you. I miss you so much buddy.

Nathan Hendrickson

December 30, 2005

Dear Matt,
I was pleased to meet your parents in Washington D.C. From what I can gather everyone misses you and loves you just as we do Jason. I know that God had his reason for both of you joining him in heaven. I would say by now you both are great friends and serving on Heavens golden streets as police officers. Know in your heart that we think of you and your family daily. One day we will all be joined and want that be a day! Keep safe and fly your wings high.

In memory of Jason Michael Scott, Loudon County Sheriff's Dept.

With much thought and prayers to your family.

Joni Scott
Wife of Deputy Jason Michael Scott EOW 03-12-2004

December 29, 2005

My heart overflows every time I return to your reflection. You touched so many lives and left a legacy that will never be forgotten. I am so proud of you and all that you became. It is almost the new year, and again days will pass in which you will consume my thoughts. I think about your family everyday. I know each heart aches to see you again. I love you.

December 28, 2005

Merry Christmas Matt,

Keep watch over your family, wrap your wings around them and protect them. Also, protect those still out on patrol. I know that there are many still left behind that think of you just about every minute of the day. The holidays are tough for us still her with out you guys being here but somehow we get through them and the main topic at the table is usually about you guys and your lives. You will never be forgotten.

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

Bob Gordon

December 25, 2005

Hi Matt,
Please keep your family safe this Christmas and always. They love you so much and miss you. Have a great time celebrating Christmas in Heaven!
The Rittenhouses: We love and are thinking of you.
Love,
Jessica Ruhl & Starks Family
Fiancee of Dan Starks

December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas Matt
I have not wrote in a while and wanted to wish you and your wonderful family a Merry Christmas. Its still hard not seeing you but I know someday we will see you again and you will pull another prank on us. Just watch over us all and make it safe for all your people down here.
Merry Christmas
Blake

Blake Kirkland

December 24, 2005

Hi Matt
i bet CHRISTmas is Heaven is one awsome sight. Just want you and your family to know i am thinking of u all during this holiday season Sincerely

Troy Wright
Kingston Pd

Troy Wright
Kingston PD

December 24, 2005

WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING-BRAD PAISLEY
When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
Then I'll hug his neck

(Chorus)

So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm going
Yeah when I get where I'm going

Merry Christmas Matt
LEO fiancee and friend of Peter Grignon EOW 3/23/05

December 24, 2005

dearest matthew

though we may never know gods reasons i do know that i have been truly blessed to meet your parents. i wish we had met under different circumstances but that was not in the plan. your wonderful mother sent me the most wonderful christmas ornament to hang on daniels picture. i thank you matthew for sharing your parents and family with us. i hope you and daniel are having a ball in heaven this christmas. watch over us but dont worry - we have found each other.

all my love

kathe starks
mother of
officer daniel starks
eow 10/25/03

December 24, 2005

Matt,

I've been thinking a lot about you this time of year. I was at my boyfriend's house the other day and the Phil Collins song "In the Air Tonight" came on and I had this rush of emotions fly over me. I remember how you would tell us at dispatch that when that song would come on "it" would hit the fan. Usually...it did and I would always fuss at you for it.

Anyway....Matt you are missed so much! I hope that your family had a great Christmas even though they must spend it without you. But...you there with them.

Merry Christmas Matt.

Amanda Redmon

December 24, 2005

Hey Matt,

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, I can only guess what Christmas is like in Heaven. I know that you and Clint have probaly been in trouble since you arrived. Just listening to your mother and reading some of your reflections, you loved life, family and friends. And to pull a joke on someone made your day. That sounds like my Clint too!

Matt, please tell Clint that I Love him the Most, and that I wish that I could be the same as before the accident, but my life has changed and so have I. I will always love him and never every forget him. That goes for you also, I hope you both will be waiting on me when I get there, I want a hug from you both, whenever that might be.

I'll be thinking of you both today, tomorrow and everyday.

I'll be looking up, because I know that you both are looking down.

Connie Barker
Clint Walker's Mother E.O.W. 1-14-04

December 24, 2005

Precious Son of My Life,

It's Christmas Eve, I have just locked the door to the shop and am sitting here looking at your picture. People are wrong. It does not get easier with time. They do not understand and that's ok because no one should have to have this kind of pain because their son or daughter has been ripped out of their lives. They say," Matt would want you to be happy".........well of course you would.....you would have done anything in the world for me or any of us.........but YOU would also understand....the part of my heart and life that was yours went with you that night. I told Daddy the other night, all I ever wanted was my babies, was that too much to ask for......that's ALL I ever wanted. You all were my greatest gifts I ever received, there was nothing else to ever want or need. Now we all just need to be together again. That's all any of us want.

OK, I'm trying to settle down:). Thanks for the kiss on the top of my head.

Ethan and Ella are very excited to see what they will be getting from you since heaven will have the coolest presents. Your presents were always the best. I miss hearing what extravagant, off the chart thing you would be wanting for Christmas. Jenny put some of our past Christmas's on tape for us and we were watching one the other night where daddy got you the t-shirt from Southpark and you kept saying "I can't believe you bought this, do you know what this show is about?".. It was so funny. I heard Jessica telling someone the other day how you would always tell her what she was getting. We just limp along without you, telling our stories, laughing, crying, missing you always.

I love you Baby Boy and will thinking of you every minute........as I do every day.

Loving you forever and always,
Merry Christmas to My Smiling Eyes.

Momma

December 24, 2005

To His Mother:
I was reading my son's reflections and read again what you wrote.
I want you to know that I am thinking of your today and know the tears and the heartache you still have.
The years go by, but we never forget how much we miss them and love them and wish we could still see them, touch them and talk with them.
One day that will all come true and I wait for that day eagerly.
God bless you this Christmas and remember it is one more Christmas closer to seeing them.

Lorraine Bond

December 23, 2005