Wilmington remembered Wilmington Police Officer Richard Matthews today in a service held at St. Marks. The flag draped coffin came down Eastwood Road and into the church parking lot where it was met by hundreds of uniformed law enforcement officers at attention.
A contingency of officers from various agencies throughout the state snapped hand to brow in salute of their fallen brother. The mood stayed somber.
Chief Ralph Evangelous made arrangements for coverage with other cooperating agencies so that his entire department could attend the service. The escorted hearse will be driven to Officer Matthews hometown in Pennsylvania by Detective Missy Perkins.
"Central to 313, central to 313, central to 313...313, sir you are clear for final 10-42. Central to all units, 313 is 10-42, central is clear."
There goes my hero, watch him as he goes.
Such a tribute to a fine man. The 10-42 call made me tear up.
Posted by: Kim | February 24, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I didn't want to listen to any of the news about this. My brother died in Iraq 2 years ago and although I didn't know Officer Matthews I know what his family is going through. I finally broke down last night when I saw the news report on TV. I haven't stopped until I found this blog. I stopped because it seems that you get it. Its like when I listened to the last call thing everything came out of me, Im sure my neighbors were concerned. But I have a smile on my face now, his life didn't go unnoticed. My heart was broken and the tragic death of officer Matthews mended it. I now know why my little brother died. He died because he was a hero. They are all heros.
Posted by: Rebecca Sanderson | February 24, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Thank you for posting this 10-42.
Posted by: David | August 30, 2009 at 11:54 AM