"Deputy Matt"- Polk County S.O.

**Terminator** · 09-29-06, 01:53 PM

"Deputy Matt"
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, September 28, 2006

Biographical Info
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

"Deputy Matt" and his K9 partner, Diogi, were shot and killed while pursuing a suspect who had fled on foot during a traffic stop. Another deputy had stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation and the suspect fled on foot into an adjoining wooded area.

"Deputy Matt" and Diogi arrived moments later and began searching for the suspect with the other deputy. The suspect opened fire on the deputies as they tracked him, fatally wounding "Deputy Matt" and Diogi, and wounding the other deputy in the leg.

Later in the day the suspect emerged from the woods and fired at a Lakeland Police Department officer who was alerting residents to stay away from the area. The officer returned fire as the suspect fled back into the woods.

The suspect was located by SWAT team members the following day hiding underneath a fallen tree that had been covered by underbrush. The man was shot and killed by the officers when he failed to obey their commands and displayed a firearm.

"Deputy Matt" had served with the agency for 12 years and was assigned to the Northwest District K-9 Unit. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Agency Contact Information
Polk County Sheriff's Office
455 N. Broadway Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: (863) 533-0344

Please contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.

**conalabu** · 09-29-06, 02:37 PM

Rest in peace, brother. Glad they got some justice on that one.

**Norm357** · 09-29-06, 02:38 PM

Good thoughts and prayers sent.

**MonsterMash** · 09-29-06, 03:36 PM

R I P

**L.E. Psych** · 09-29-06, 03:46 PM

Rest in Peace

You will not be forgotten.

**cntryboy0531** · 09-29-06, 04:32 PM

Too bad I wasn't one of the ones that found the fucker that done this.

R.I.P. Matt, we got him.

**OFK** · 09-29-06, 04:51 PM

God Bless him and his family.

**Lizzy** · 09-29-06, 07:41 PM

Thoughts and prayers sent down the Florida way. He will be target shooting with the angels now.

**SRT Sniper** · 09-29-06, 09:15 PM

R I P
and
Godspeed

**depusm12** · 09-29-06, 09:46 PM

RIP brother,

**Just KC** · 09-29-06, 10:00 PM

{{{Deputy Matt & Family}}}}}}}} I am so very sorry

RIP

{{{Diogi}}}}

**Jenna** · 09-29-06, 10:02 PM

Rest in peace.

CopsRCool302 · 09-29-06, 10:16 PM

Prayers and thoughts are with your family!

Rest in Peace, your Brothers and Sisters will carry on your watch.

**chris2001** · 10-01-06, 09:56 AM

RIP Matt we have your watch now

.

**timatoe127** · 10-01-06, 10:27 AM

RIP Brother, Thoughts and Prayers to Matt's family

**cwtlady** · 10-02-06, 08:22 AM

Thoughts and prayers to the family and to the department. Very sad.

**aj261** · 10-02-06, 09:03 AM

R.I.P brother thoughts and prayers to family, friends and co-workers

**JoeBob** · 10-02-06, 11:58 AM

We have lost another brave man, a loyal dog, and a piece of shit.

I found a link giving the direct info for donations. This Brother left behind a wife and three kids...let's do what we can to help. (I hope this works)