TBO.com > News > Latest News Reports
- Send Your Wishes To The New Administration
- Moffitt Among Quarterfinalists For Lott Award
- Two Women Thrown From Boat When It Hits I-75 Bridge
- Judge Imposes Stay On Lethal Injections
- Poll: More Coastal Residents Would Not Evacuate For Hurricane
- Robbers In Ninja Garb Strike Hampton Inn
- Deputy Is Accused Of Domestic Battery
- 2 Men Burst Into Home, Steal More Than $7,000
- Temple Terrace Man Wounded In Shooting
- Polk Deputies Charge 17 Men After Weekend Cockfight
- Baby Dropped Off At Fire Station
- Jury Awards $21.1 Million In Wrongful Birth Case
- Deputies Investigate Bank Robbery
- Grandpa Robbed; Grandson Charged
- Composite Sketch Of Armed Carjacker Released
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.
I am so sorry for his family’s loss and the police dept’s loss of two great officers. They are both in heaven smiling down. I am glad that criminal was shot soo many times. He is rotting in you know where.
My heart goes out to the family of Deputy Williams. It is especially close to me as my father is a detention deputy for Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, he previously worked for Polk County.He was a good person who helped us in every way he could
WHAT A TRGEDY MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY.MAY HE REST IN PEACEH
My heart cries for the loss of this awesome officer and his K-9. I pray peace and blessings upon his family, that healing comes as they allow God to touch them.
I pray too for every officer in every branch of Law Enforcement for protection, understanding, perserverance, joy, hearts healed and open.
What an honor it is for me to work in a city that honors one who has given so much and asked for so little in return, our loss is great and none will ever fill those shoes, I pray for those who will come to fill that void.
Again, my heart goes out to the family, God surround them with love and peace, forgiveness and joy.
Officer Williams and Diogi are safe, in a better place, frolicing in field of grace with our Lord.
Bless you all,
To those officers who have come to honor one of our fallen heros, Thank You for your time and efforts, You are greatly appreciated by this citizen.
I would like to thank Deputy Williams and Diogi as well as the hundreds of other officers that put their lives on the line that fateful day in September to keep our community safe. You will always be remembered as the heros you were and continue to be. Love and prayers to the Williams’ family, the community shares in your sorrow. God Bless!
I did not know Deputy Williams. But my prayers go out to his family and all of his fellow LEO’s.
I work for a police department as a dispatcher and I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose one of our own. My heart aches for all the Deputies in Polk County.
I pray that God will Bless Deputy Williams family and keep his fellow LEO’s safe as they continue there tour of duty.
What a horrific tragedy this was and my heart goes out to everyone involved. Prayers are with all families at this time and may Deputy Williams’ soul rest in peace. My you find comfort in knowing that he has gone home to be with his saviour and now God has his arms wrapped around him.
I met Mr.Williams years ago. His brother and my son hung around together getting into trouble. Mr. Williams wasn’t an officer then but it didn’t stop him in giving James a stern talking to on many occasion. His words of advice helped James to get through. For all I know he could have saved his life because of his fine example.He has grown up and has 2 beautiful children. He has kept in touch with the family still today. My son will be at your memorial today to say thankyou. Williams leaves behind a young man that was touched by his life. If you were ever a mom who stayed up nights only to worry yourself sick we all would show these dear men and women more respect. thankyou Mr.Williams and Polk County Deputies. Mr. Grady Judd you will get my vote again. What an excellent job you did along with the other fine men and women that stand behind you. May God bless polk county. Our prayers to Mrs. Matt Williams and children.
My heart and prayers goes out to the family of the slain officers.Yes this dog was an officer and a loyal companion.He was doing what he was trained to do.Let’s not forget the officers wife and children he left behind.They lost 2 family members.
May the LORD bless you. He will be there with open arms. All smile don’t grieve he would want you to go on. Justice was served to the man who did this. May we all remember Deputy Matt Williams. My heart goes out to his family, Wife and kids.
The Williams’ family is in our thoughts and prayers.
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY PRAYERS, I AM ONLY THE PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT, AND COULDN’T ATTEND THE SERVICE THIS AFTERNOON, BUT I AM THERE IN SPIRIT.
A special thanks to the SWAT team that took the suspect out. They saved the family even more grief and the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars! Swift justice, sometimes is best.
I WISH YOUR LINK TO VIEW THE SERVICE WAS EASY TO FIND WE BOTH SITTING HERE AND ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS CANNOT FIND HOW WE VIEW THIS SERVICE ON YOUR LINK.
(((Editor’s Note: The service begins at 1 p.m. We will post a link at that point.)))
Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Matt Williams’ wife and kids , family and friends, what a horrible tragedy. Heaven has gained another angel. What a brave man to fight for his community in such a way of danger. He will never be forgotten in our family.We never met him but feel like we did. Our love to his wife and kids. Sincerely, The Barnes Family
My heart goes out to the Williams family. I think it is wonderful that Diogi is being honored as well as he too was an officer of the law. How comforting it is also that he will be buried with his partner. They will rise to the heavens and be together to look over the people they love. They will be missed but NEVER forgotten!!
Advertisement
Posted by Deborah Carlisle, Lakeland ,Fl. on 10/03 at 12:19 PM
To Matt’S wife I want you and the children to know you have my prayers.I really appreciate Matt and other officers who risk their life to protect us from the kind of garbage who took him away from us.God has a new angel to sit with him.May God be with you and the children now and always.