In 1993 as a rookie officer just cut loose from the FTO program I was called to assist the narcotics unit with transporting a suspect they had just arrested during an undercover operation. Growing up all I had ever wanted to do was be a plainclothes/undercover officer so this was like getting a chance to meet your favorite celebrity. I was very nervous when I arrived on the scene, hoping not to say or do anything embarrassing in front of the narcotics detectives. Several of them were going about their business and generally appearing completely ambivalent about my presence. It was clear that I was nothing more than a taxi service for them and they had no interest in acknowledging me otherwise. But then one of them emerged from the crowd, walked straight up to me, gave me a firm handshake, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "How you doing, my name is Steve Matthews, thanks for helping us out." Steve went on to spend about 10 minutes briefing me about their investigation, showing me the crack they had just purchased and explaining to me common methods of operation for drug dealers. I received more of an education in real police work in those ten minutes than I learned in six months at the academy. Obviously, Steve did not have to take the time to make me feel important or give me an invaluable lesson that made me a better cop. But he did. And over the course of the next 20 years I witnessed him take the time with countless other young officers and make them better too. That is because Steve is the ultimate team player. Never looking for personal recognition but always wanting to be involved in a team effort to get the job done.
I have always marveled at Steve's ability to seemingly fill each day with about 28 hours instead of 24 like the rest of us. That is the only way I can explain how he does all the things he does. Somehow he seems to be tirelessly working the scene of a homicide or conducting an intense surveillance while at the same time attending one of his daughters activities, preparing a Santa sleigh ride for his community, helping a neighbor, and any of a number of other things for other people at the same time. He is simply someone you can rely on and who can never say "no" or "I would love to but I am already doing something else." He just finds a way to make it happen and get the job done.
As a police officer there is no one with more passion for what he does. He poured his heart and soul into every case whether it was a shoplifter or a murder. He led by example, always giving 100% and letting his teammates know he could be relied on no matter what. We worked together on a plainclothes surveillance team for several years. Steve was the guy who would take the "eye" on a business during a night time commercial burglary detail and keep it all night if you asked him to. Never complaining and always staying glued to the place he was watching. If you don't comprehend how impressive this quality is try going to a local shopping center tonight around midnight and parking somewhere in the dark. Sit in the same place until about eight o'clock tomorrow morning without getting out of your car. Make sure your car is turned off no matter how hot or cold it gets so that you don't blow your cover. And whatever you do, don't take your eyes off the business your watching because if you do you just might miss it getting burglarized. That means no reading, watching movies, etc. And oh by the way, you figure out what to do if you need to go to the bathroom.
When we started our police training company Steve was the first instructor we asked to work for us because of the obvious qualities I have described above. The last class Steve helped us with was last month, just a few days after he was hired for his new job and announced his retirement from the police department. When the class was over a veteran officer attending the class approached me and told me how inspired he was by the passion Steve exuded for police work and how rare it was to see someone at the end of their career have as much energy and commitment as Steve has.
Steve Matthews sets the standard that I aspire to achieve when it comes to being a police officer, a friend and a father. There are countless times during our friendship that Steve's advice or actions have meant the world to me. A few years ago my father, whom I was very close to passed away. It left a void in my life that can never be filled. In the days immediately following his death I received many cards and calls from friends expressing their sympathy. They all meant a lot and I have saved them all. There was one message that stood out to me more than any other. It came from Steve Matthews. Steve said, "Your job now is to become more like him." That simple statement left an enormous impression on me. My father would have turned 75 years old today. Tomorrow I will celebrate the extraordinary career of Steve Matthews at his retirement party. And each day thereafter I will continue to try to be more like my dad....and Steve!
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