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By Julie Pace and Crystal Lauderdale
The Tampa Tribune
Photo Gallery | Tribune Story | WFLA Video | Tribune Photo Gallery
4:24 p.m.: At The Cemetery
Deputy Williams’ body has arrived at Auburndale Cemetery, but the funeral procession continues through the streets of Polk County.
For more than an hour, law enforcement vehicles from throughout the state have been making their way from Victory Church to the grave site. Residents continue to line the streets in a show of support for Williams and his K-9 partner, Diogi.
3:50 p.m.: Final Respects
The hearse carrying Deputy Matt Williams body is making its way down U.S. 92 to Auburndale Cemetery.
The procession has brought Polk County’s main thoroughfare to a halt, as hundreds of law enforcement vehicles make their way to the burial site.
The streets are lined with residents, some holding signs, others waving American flags and all paying their final respects to Deputy Williams.
2:07 p.m.: Crowds Gathering For Procession
Crowds are starting to gather along US 92 in Polk County to view the funeral procession for Deputy Williams.
The route from Victory Church to the Auburndale Cemetery is about 12 miles long and will take the procession through some of Polk County’s main roads.
Few of the people gathered knew Williams personally, but felt compelled to come pay their respects.
“It touches everyone when something like this happens,” Lakeland resident Parris Pultz said.
11:30 a.m.: Church Filling Up
Officials say roads around the church and
cemetery could be busy with funeral traffic from about 2:15 to 6 p.m.
The funeral of Deputy Williams and his K-9, Diogi, is still about 90 minutes away, but Victory Church is quickly filling up. Griffin Road, where the funeral procession will start after the service, is bumper to bumper traffic. A large American flag is flying atop the extended ladder of a Polk County fire truck.
Law enforcement from more Florida municipalities continue to arrive, with the latest contingents driving from Homestead and St. Lucie County.
10:30 a.m.: Bond Between Officers
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office prepared to honor
Matt Williams and Diogi, the investigation into the suspect
and the clues he left behind continued.
A line of law enforcement officers preparing to view Deputy Williams’ body stretches far outside Victory Church.
Deputies from Citrus County have arrived, as well as a handful of officers from Mississippi and one from Minnesota.
Several K-9 officers are also arriving with their dogs.
While there is a bond between all law enforcement officers, Scott Bullard, an officer in Tampa police’s K-9 unit, said that bond is even stronger among K-9 officers.
“We’re a smaller group of people,” he said. “You wonder whether or not this could happen to you.”
9:45 a.m.: Polk Prepares
An estimated 3,000 people are expected
to attend the 1 p.m. funeral at Victory Church, at 1401 Griffin Road.
Diogi’s ashes will be interred in Matt Williams’ casket.
The funeral of Polk County Sherrif’s Deputy Matt Williams is more than three hours away, but several hundred people have already arrived at Victory Church in Lakeland.
A memorial service will be held for law enforcement at 10 a.m. Agencies from throughout the state are represented, including officers from Tampa, Lakeland, Bartow and Mulberry police departments, as well as the Hillsborough and Polk County sheriff’s offices.
A Polk Country sheriff’s squad car parked outside the church bears has an inscription on the window that reads “In Memory of D/S Matt Williams and K-9 Diogi 9/28/2006”
Today’s funeral will start at 1 p.m.
Thank you Matt Williams for dying for a damn good cuase we will miss you and I,m very sorry that this happen this has affected all of are live in the polk county area It is amazing how one person can affect so many lives
Mrs. Williams and family. There are no words to describe what you and your family must be going through. I pray that one day you and your family can bounce back and continue being the good people you are. I to am a K-9 Deputy with a wife of twenty years and five children. I just could not imagine what this could be like for a spouse of a law enforcement office. I attended the funeral and saw first hand the unspoken bond between the law enforcement family around the country. We truely are family. Mrs. Williams, I wish there was a sentence I could convey to you that would take the pain away, But I know theres no such sentence. From my law enforcement family to yours our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have one thing to say to Deputy Matt Williams and K-9 Diogi,” REST IN PEACE OH MIGHTY WARRIORS REST IN PEACE.”
To Kayla Graham who said they didn’t have to shoot the killer 68 times. Your right…they should have stood him up to shoot him 100 times. How dare he come to OUR country, take advantage of OUR freedom, peddle drugs in OUR land and finally kill 2 great Americans in a cowardly ambush.
I’m just sorry he has 68 holes in him to cool the fire and heat he’s in now. And your right. We all have to answer to God in the end and he is a just God that gives out punishment and rewards.
That’s why the slimeball is in Hell and our D.S. Williams and his precious DiOGi are in Heaven.
God Bless these two valiant partners and our prayers for peace and recoverability go out to the entire Williams family.
It is very sad to see a person who makes a living by being there for everyone, get taken away by someone who has no regard for human life. We have too many criminals and crazies running around in our country. Do we really need to be importing more?
I would just like to say on behalf of myself and my parents that The Williams family is in our thoughts and prayers. My father and brother are both in law enforcement and it is true that when it happens to one family it effects us all. These two deputies (Deputy Williams and Deputy Diogi) deserve every ounce of respect we can give them. They died to protect us, to protect the children in those schools and that is so amazing. All of our officers across the United States deserve our highest respect because they put their lives on the line every day to protect us and our loved ones. And to the families of officers everywhere, we have the toughest job of all…waiting and watching as our loved ones go out everyday in uniform and put their lives on the line for others. God Bless to all.
Let us not forget that these officers put their lives on the line everyday to ensure OUR safety and peace of mind.
Thank You
My heart goes out to the family of Deputy Matt Williams and Dioge. In this time may God be with you the strongest he ever has been. I pray that God will wrap his arms around the family, friends, and all of our Deputies out each and every day to protect us. In the days to come please keep him in thought and know he is with you all in spirit, and know that he left memories with his family, friends, co-workers and this is what will get everyone through. I know he is in Heaven and watching you all. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. My family did not know him but we do admire him. May God Bless and keep you all. Our Love and prayers go out from Auburndale.
I send my deepest sympathy and prayers. Matt Williams did a great job and will always be remembered. His funeral shows how much police care for their brothers and was very moving to see. I send my best wishes to his family for their loss. I’m sure that all the support and the beautiful tribute will help heal the family . My best wishes to The Williams Family. God Bless yo
Having served in the military and lost friends close to me in several units I served in, I certainly understand the loss that Deputy Williams co-workers are feeling. It’s an empty feeling and a deep sense of loss that lingers on for a while. Later you reflect on the good times you shared together and talk about things that happened in the past.
The best way to get through the hard times is talking about the good and don’t dwell on the bad. It’s not easy at first but in time, the wounds will heal. Just don’t ever forget him or Dioge. They will always be there in spirit and in your hearts. You just don’t know it yet.
God bless the Williams family, friends and his co-workers. What a tremendous loss for all of you and yet, what a glorious gain for Heaven. My prayers go out to all who bear a saddened heart in this loss. Thank you for the tv station’s broadcasting online. I lived in Lakeland, for 50 years, but have moved and the broadcast made me feel like I had a chance to grieve with all of you. God bless all our Law Enforcement Units and our citizens of Polk County.
Please support your local police and fire/rescue. My hat is off to you all.
I was reminded, today, these guys would jump in front of a bullet for you if need be or run into a ragin ginferno to save your life. God Bless. Please donate to Deputy Williams memorial fund also.
To watch the many who came to pay their final respects I applaud you.
Also to say thanks with a greatful heart to two of Polk Counties Finest,Heavens gain is our loss. We will miss you both. To also say thanks to all our Law Enforcement, you are all our “FINEST”
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US IN LAKELAND I WAS GOING TO RIDE WITH YOU TO SEE WHAT YOU DO ON A DAYLEY BACE BUT I WILL NOT HAVE MY WISH COME TRUE NOW WE LOVE YOU AND WE MISS YOU ALREDY LOVE BECKY 
I lived in Manatee County FL for over 25 years until I retired as a Deputy Fire Chief. Police and Fire have always lived with the potential of not going home one day. We have lost to many Brothers and sisters over the years and it never gets easier to deal with. My deepest condolences to the family of Officer Williams. God has a plan which we do not always understand. Officer Williams and his partner, whom I never met, will ALWAYS be MISSED and his family in my prayers.
I have spent the afternoon watching the funeral for our fallen officer, Deputy Matt Willams and his K-9 companion, Diogi.
I have been in the company of such good men before. I was a volunteer fireman for several years in Hardee County. I must say that I have never faced such an occurance as happened last Thursday.
I do know that law enforcement and firefighters face great danger and do not ever question if they should or should not do what is needed.
These men, women and animals should have our deepest respect and honor. These individuals lay down their lives for us every day and most of us don’t even think of.
Please keep these amazing people and thier families in your hearts and prayers now and forever.
Thank you, Scott Seibert
Our heart, thoughts, prayers and tears go out to you, Diogi, your wife, children, pets, family and fellow officers. Thank you for serving us in this time of unrest in this countryand may God Bless You,
My heart, thoughts, prayers and tears go out to you, Diogi, your wife, children, pets, family and fellow officers. Thank you for serving us. You and Diogi will be missed throughout the community.
My deepest condolences to the Williams family and the PCSD.
God needed someone to take care of his dogs for him
My pray’s go out to the Williams family
And to the crimnal’s family they lost a child who chose the wrong path. May God have mercy on his soul. But I don’t think any human being deserve to be shot 68 times. I bet he died with one or two shots. There is a God we all have to answer to in the end, let us all remember that.
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Matt’s family. I pray that knowing Matt left us in great honor will help in finding peace from this tragic loss.
I never had the honor of knowing Matt personally, however I do know his caliber. It has been a long time since I was a Ridge Runner, but I still consider PCSD my family, and Polk County as my home. Little did I know that my dispatcher would grow up to be such a fine Sheriff. I am immensely proud of how well Grady led the PCSD and over 500 members from other departments in the investigation of this horrific murder. Matt and Diogi can rest in peace now.
God Bless this family and bless the people who protect us everyday. Thank you for putting a rest to this to all that was involved.
Thank you Deputy Williams and Diogi. You are the brave ones. My deepest sympathy goes out to all families and friends that this horrible incident affected. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
The service was beautiful and so emotional.
Thank you so much to TBO and Channel 8 for broadcasting the funeral, allowing those of us who couldn’t attend still be a part of it.
We honor and remember Matt Williams and the sacrifice he made for all of us to feel a little safer.
May God be with his entire family and give them strength.
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends. I agree with Stephanie White, and the inclusion of Diogi in the rememberances.
To the SWAT team, great job in taking matters into your hands the way you did.
May the Lord be with you all.
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Posted by georgerick Varsianna, on 10/25 at 10:00 AM
This statement is in reconition of the late great deputy matt williams and his faithful side kick DOgi. deputy matt williams was are school resource officer for a little will but he brought understanding and wisdom to the hole school and the community his life affected all of us and his death did also for your great courage youwill be alwaysed remembered and the most thank to the parents of matt williams for raising a hero