By: Aaron Joseph. For many the wounds of that tragic day during January 2011, are still yet fresh. The communal love expressed by all, and the mutual care and concern shared by every citizen, then and since, has triumphed over the tragedy, and evolved into a healthier safer world today. Lakewood is a kinder gentler community because of Officer Matlosz , and far more solidified against crime today, than ever before.
I remember where I was standing just prior to sundown on that late Friday afternoon. The constant screaming of sirens and the incessant whirl of chopper blades alluded to the magnitude of what had taken place. The TLS initial bulletin confirmed it. Our community’s innocence was attacked, as one of Lakewood’s finest whilst in uniform was taken in cold-blood; in midst of doing his duty; protecting you and me; an ultimate sacrifice that could never be repaid.
By Sunday, The Lakewood Scoop was ranking nationally as number one in in depth coverage of an ever-tragic period, all-the-while portraying to the world how fine a community we truly are.
The shock and horror unified all regardless of stripe or creed, and bound a community in mourning. The sheer outpouring of expression during that period signified our community’s outrage. The magnificent display of comradeship spoke volumes and was displayed by thousands of fellow officers and first-responders who arrived from around the country, and the entire community stopping its daily routine and lining the funeral route. Residents took off from work, businesses closed, schoolchildren and Yeshiva students study books aside, stood side-by-side, displaying solidarity against an intolerable evil. All expressing final respect to an individual who cared for them during his life, and protected them with his life. A unification of all – in tribute to one.
An old African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Indeed, during those cold, snowy days of January 2011, Lakewood’s upbringing was unwittingly placed on public display. How dignified, how honorable, how mature a community Lakewood proved to be. If the proverbial child was Christopher Matlosz who paid the ultimate price for our good, we the proverbial sibling honorably lived up to the demands of his sacrifice in pure faith as we enshrined his memory.
Officer Matlosz it may be two years, but time makes no difference. Your memory as your selfless service lives on as fresh as ever. An always grateful community lives on today in far greater safety, motivated to further harmony, cohesive in unity, and inspired by the lesson of your life, a prime example of the good Lakewood has to offer. It is never too late to express thanks, and so we all continue to do.
May God protect and watch over you now, as you sought to protect and watch over us all during your time on earth. May your soul rest in peace.
MULTIPLE VIDEOS BELOW:
(Exclusive Video of scene was removed upon request).
Video of Police Headquarters following the Murder.
Video statment from Mayor Menashe Miller following the murder.
Video: Press Conference announcing the arrest of Jahmell Crockham.
Video: Press Conference following the arraignment of Crockham.
Video of body of Chris Matlosz brought through Lakewood.
Video of Toms River PD announcing taking control of Lakewood patrolling.
Video of Law Enforcement personnel pouring into Lakewood for the funeral.
Funeral of Chris Matlosz – with exclusive footage.
Video renaming 3rd Street to Matlosz Way.
Rest in Peace, Officer Matlosz. Lakewood Township will never forget that your life of dignity, humor, and caring as one of LPD’s finest was brought to an early and abrupt end by a self hating, evil, entity that will one day reside in Hell.
A very sad day for all those who reside in Lakewood,there is still much work to be done in this town to bring it back to a place where you can be proud to say I live in “Lakewood”.Having been a resident for more than 4 decades the landscape and structure of this once quiet and quaint township has evolved into a more city like environment,needless to say not to my liking .I actually moved to get away from that and now we have morphed into that. Changing into that type of environment bringh with it all the problems that we see in cities across this country ,crime ,drugs,gangs etc not that those same issues do not exist elsewhere but they are more prevelant and wider in scope in cities. So Lakewood in my eyes will never be what it once was and will have to deal with the problems that evolve an explosive growth not only in population but all the problems that are related to that envirnment
Thank you, “?”, for ruining a befitting tribute to Officer Matlosz. Save your angst and critique for another day and another blog. Today we commemorate and remember; not debate and dismember.
I am glad Jahmel Crockam is sentenced to life in prison without
the posibility of parole.
Rest in peace, Officer Matlosz. May G-d have mercy on all your loved ones and may they have the strength to endure.
to RebRambo says:
you missed the whole point ,if it ruined anything thats your problem!
Believe me when I tell you how close to home the death of this officer is to me , you would be extremely surprissed !
You never know how they will turn out. You always like to think that you had a positive influence on your students, that your interest in their welfare and their respect for you would keep them out of trouble. We teachers sometimes tend to think we have have more influence over our students than we really do. This heinous crime was a turning point in my tenure at LHS and a sad day for many others.
Me too Josh the only thing is he gets to see his loved ones , and live each day.. its really not fare!!!