Officer Richard Matthews, age 28, was hired in December 2006. Officer Matthews has died from injuries sustained in a crash early this morning.
The officer was in his marked police car headed eastbound on Shipyard Boulevard at 1:18 a.m. He was en route to back up another officer on a call.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the officer lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median and hit a tree on the opposite side of the road in the 3900 block of Shipyard Boulevard. He was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Donations in memory of Officer Matthews may be sent to the Wilmington Police Recreation Association, c/o Lt. Matt Hinson, 615 Bess Street, Wilmington, N.C., 28401.
He will be forever missed by all those whose lives he touched.
On Feb. 5, he was commended by the police department for bravery, courage and professionalism when he and other officers entered a burning building at Park Place Condominiums on Park Avenue on Jan. 24 to rescue residents. Matthews carried a 96-year-old woman to safety.
There goes my hero.
Watch him as he goes...
My heart goes out to the friends and family of Officer Matthews. God bless the law enforcement family that will forever ride with the memory of all those that sacrificed their lives for the good AND the bad citizens of our community. Be strong my brothers!
Posted by: unknown soldier | February 18, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Anyone know if there is going to be a memorial service in town?
Posted by: Bill Mangum | February 18, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Thank God someone out there is willing to risk their life for me but I don't know why they do it. Why? I'm not worthy, neither are most of the people I know. Dont you just know the officer's dad would have traded places in a heartbeat. How sad for them.
Thank you Officer Matthews, hope to meet you some day in the big blue sky to thank you personally.
Posted by: Buggsy | February 18, 2009 at 10:34 PM
On Feb. 5, he was commended by the police department for bravery, courage and professionalism when he and other officers entered a burning building at Park Place Condominiums on Park Avenue on Jan. 24 to rescue residents. Matthews carried a 96-year-old woman to safety. Star News
Posted by: Buggsy | February 18, 2009 at 10:46 PM
I suppose if there were to be cause, these three criminals that were involved in a felony failure to stop while using a dangerous weapon (automobile) they could be charged with "Felony Murder"
SUBCHAPTER III. OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON.
Article 6.
Homicide.
§ 14‑17. Murder in the first and second degree defined; punishment.
A murder which shall be perpetrated by means of a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon of mass destruction as defined in G.S. 14‑288.21, poison, lying in wait, imprisonment, starving, torture, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing, or which shall be committed in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of any arson, rape or a sex offense, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, or other felony committed or attempted with the use of a deadly weapon shall be deemed to be murder in the first degree, a Class A felony, and any person who commits such murder shall be punished with death or imprisonment in the State's prison for life without parole as the court shall determine pursuant to G.S. 15A‑2000, except that any such person who was under 18 years of age at the time of the murder shall be punished with imprisonment in the State's prison for life without parole. All other kinds of murder, including that which shall be proximately caused by the unlawful distribution of opium or any synthetic or natural salt, compound, derivative, or preparation of opium, or cocaine or other substance described in G.S. 90‑90(1)d., or methamphetamine, when the ingestion of such substance causes the death of the user, shall be deemed murder in the second degree, and any person who commits such murder shall be punished as a Class B2 felon. (1893, cc. 85, 281; Rev., s. 3631; C.S., s. 4200; 1949, c. 299, s. 1; 1973, c. 1201, s. 1; 1977, c. 406, s. 1; 1979, c. 682, s. 6; 1979, c. 760, s. 5; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1251, ss. 1, 2; c. 1316, s. 47; 1981, c. 63, s. 1; c. 179, s. 14; c. 662, s. 1; 1987, c. 693; 1989, c. 694; 1993, c. 539, s. 112; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 21, s. 1; c. 22, s. 4; c. 24, s. 14(c); 2001‑470, s. 2; 2004‑178, s. 1; 2007‑81, s. 1.)
Posted by: Tre Benson | February 19, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I think if the cop wasnt speeding then he wouldnt have wrecked. People die all the time in accidents and no body calls then a hero. Dont get me wrong I dont hate cops but everytime I look I see cops speeding down the road.
Yah its sad and all but I dont get the hero business at all. You want a hero go to Iraq and you will see a bunch of them.
Posted by: Dog | February 19, 2009 at 04:05 PM
I'm not sure that anyone has used the words hero outside his recognized heroics when he entered a burning building to rescue a 94 year old woman. But when I think about it, heroic is taking risks, deadly risks in response to a perception that someone else's life may be in danger. I think it is clear that Officer Matthews was responding to a call for help.
Don't forget that these mutts arrested were tossing contraband out of the window, it is assumed that the contraband was drugs, a good amount of drugs. When there are felons (fleeing from the law) tossing contraband out of the window, this might signal the possibility of at least one gun on board.
People are asking what about poor grandma on the road at 1:30 in the morning when speeding officer flies past, I ask, what about the possibility of grandma driving by when a felon fearful of going to prison opens fire on a police officer, missing the officer and hitting grandma.
You never know what's an inch around the next corner. LEO faces these situations all the time, each one a possible deadly situation. Driving 200 miles per hour to the aid of a fellow officer might not be fast enough in some situations. All you know is a desperate criminal is on an empty road with an officer who recognizes a dangerous situation and calls for help.
All I know is if my brother was calling for help I'd get there as fast as possible, blue lights a siren a screaming! Officer Matthews did the same thing, God bless him!
Posted by: Tre Benson | February 19, 2009 at 05:27 PM
listened to the show today guys. just wanted to chime in and say that we all owe officer matthews a supportive turnout at the funeral on monday. for him and for the other law enforcement officers who fought the fight with him.
Posted by: he is missed | February 21, 2009 at 11:02 PM