Watchung police officer Officer Matthew Melchionda was killed Wednesday night when his cruiser crashed into a tree in North Plainfield after he swerved to avoid a minivan that had pulled out in front of him. The six-year veteran of the force, he was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred around 5:20 p.m. The driver of the minivan, identified only as a 42-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries. Several children also were in the vehicle, but none was seriously hurt.

The pursuit that led to the crash began after two other Watchung police officers, who were sitting in an unmarked car as part of an investigation into recent car thefts and thefts of items from vehicles, saw a suspicious vehicle and called for backup from a marked police cruiser. Melchionda responded and followed the vehicle as it headed south, crossing Route 22 onto North Avenue into North Plainfield, About two blocks later, where the road becomes Norwood Avenue, he apparently tried to catch up to the vehicle but as he pulled forward, the minivan turned left in front of his cruiser and he swerved to avoid it. His cruiser then struck a tree in the front yard of a private home at the corner of Norwood and Grandview avenues. It was not clear if the authorities eventually stopped the vehicle Melchionda was pursuing. An investigation is continuing.

Officer Matthew Melchionda  older brother, David, also serves on the force.







Agency Information:
Watchung Police Department
840 Somerset Street
Watchung, NJ 07060
Phone: (908) 756-3663

Matty,
We miss you so much and think about you everyday. I thank God for bringing you into our lives. You have brought so much to us and will be forever grateful.
Love,
Jackie - Louis

Jackie D'Angeli
Administrative Assistant

07/06/2006
03:00 PM



Matty,
We miss you so much and think about you everyday. I thank God for bringing you into our lives. You have brought so muco to us and will be forever grateful.
Love, Jackie - Louis

Jackie D'Angeli
Administrative Assistant

07/06/2006
03:00 PM



matt I know you didn't know me to well but to every one at Watchung and their families you will always be in our hearts. my dad misses you very much and your funeral was the first time he cried. Lynn misses you a great deal and none of us will ever forget your funny out-going personality. I remember when my sister thought that you and bill Kelly had a.d.d. you will be missed for ever rest in peace matt

Police Officer, Ronald Lacaillade
Watchung Police Department

06/20/2006
07:32 PM



Matt, rest easy brother. To Matt's family grieve him and then celebrate him. I offer my heart felt condolences. I will NEVER forget.

Police Officer, Robert Levin
Bound Brook PD

Date: 03/14/2006
Time: 12:21 AM



I'm sorry for the lost of this Officer. My prayers are with him and the family. Rest In Peace Matthew.

Brian ODonnell
Crazyb423@hotmail.com 
Mt Bethel Fire Department

Date: 03/15/2006
Time: 12:13 AM



All those who have served and given their lives are a rare breed. Every day that they report for duty and turn the key and roll out, they know in their hearts it may be the last time. But they go anyway, because that is who they are. To the dear families and Friends my heart goes out to you. There is no doubt that they are still on patrol and still watching over their families and friends from on high. Chaplain Gibson "SEMPER FI" Brothers and Sisters!

Chief Chaplain Donald Gibson
crisis_chaplain@yahoo.com
Temple Police Department
http://www.chaplain-ministries.com/law.html



Gods Blessings upon this fallen Sister/Brother and the family that grieves as well as the Law Enforcement Family. God Bless you all.

Law Enforcement Chaplaincy CFMI-HQ-TX-NM
Jessica C. Martinez
Senior Law Enforcement Chaplain
Jessica C. Martinez
Chaplain Fellowship Ministries
HQ-Temple Texas
New Mexico
CHAPMARTINEZ58@USACOPS.COM

Date: 11/10/2005
Time: 12:36 PM



May god be with this officer, his family and friends. My prayers go out to the family of this officer and to all the family's of officer's that have fallen. God Bless You All.

Aransas County Sheriff's Department, TX
Deputy Sheriff, Michael Molandes
ACSO815@copmail.com
Website: www.aransascountysheriff.com



I am very sorry for your loss. We will keep you in out hearts and prayers.

Tohono O'oldham PD
J.Morales, AZ
moralesj842001@yahoo.com



ANOTHER SAD DAY, WHEN WE LOSE ANOTHER BROTHER. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, GOD BLESS YOU.

Bernalillo County Sheriffs Dept.
Retired Deputy, GENE NESTOR
officer205@yahoo.com



GOD did not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, day without night, but; HE did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.
The community has lost a dedicated protector, the family a loved one, the Department a comrade, the Nation a hero, but Heaven has gained an Angel. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I ask GOD to watch over each member and give them strength during this time of their need.

Florence Police Dept., S.C.
Retired Police Officer
W. Ken McLendon, Ret Sgt
RETLAW1991@bellsouth.net



I send my deepest sympathy to all of the family and friends. God Bless.

Shelley Blanchard



May you watch over us here on earth from your heavenly home, May The angles sing you to sleep at night - may the Lord wake you - smile on you every day until the end of time God bless You Sweet angel of the Law.

Danny
Bristol, TN
Electricbanjoman@aol.com



For the time you gave - thank you. For the bravery you showed - thank you. For the heart you put into it - thank you. For your sacrifices - thank you. For the life you gave - thank you will never be enough. My thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives were touched by the fallen officer.

Kiley, Administrative Assistant
katm94@hotmail.com



I am so sorry for your loss My heart goes out to your family

Krista Truitt
krista76374@comcast.net
criminal justice student, TX



May GOD Keep And Protect You As You Did For Us Here On Earth.. Our Prayers go out to the Family in this Hour of Need. REST IN PEACE

James W. Webb
Corrections Officer, Talladega Sheriff's Dept. AL
Iresqu6969@cableone.net



May the duty belt you wear in Heaven protect us.

Police Officer, Juan J. Valenzuela
JUANCMANEY@HOTMAIL.COM



"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" Matthew 5:9. My families prayers and thoughts go out to your family, may God be with you.

Police Officer, Robert
North Myrtle Beach Dept. Public Safety SC.



Are prayers are with you and will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Lt..Alex Newton
Lapeer county sheriff department explorers, MI
lcfr343@yahoo.com
www.explorers.cjb.net



To all officers: May God bless each and every Law Enforcement Officer. Our prayers are always that you all return home safely after your shift is over. We pray that one day you will get the respect that you so deserve. Be blessed!

Linda SImmons Thomas
Sister of officer; EOW 7-10-04



May you rest in Peace our brother. May God Bless you and your family and all of your Law Enforcement Family.

Not only did the Police Department lose a hero but the entire nation lost one of our finest.
God Bless America and all those who Serve And Protect worldwide.

Respectfully:
Senior Chaplain Arthur J MArtinez-DD
MASTER CHAPLAIN FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES
TEMPLE TEXAS, NEW MEXICO



My heart goes out to the family, I myself am the Ex wife of a Deputy Sheriff with 3 children. Just want her to know I'm thinking about them. And my prayers go out to the family. Also to Parents who should not be going through this. Rest In Peace.

Linda Sanchez, Covina CA
mextexincali_1@yahoo.com



I AM VERY SORRY FOR ALL THE OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. IT
 IS VERY SAD WHEN YOU HERE ABOUT COPS GETTING KILLED. KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE. EVERY COP IN THE U.S. ARE LIKE BROTHERS AND SISTERS
TO ME. AND AGAIN I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD.

BOSSIER PARISH SHERIFF OFFICE
Deputy Sheriff, THOMAS TEUTSCH

TANKERONE@BELLSOUTH.NET

WWW.BOSSIERSHERIFF.ORG



TO A BROTHER: YOU will NEVER be FORGOTTEN for you did something that no one else would do .
Rest in peace and watch over all of use walking the beat in heaven!!!!

Cdt. A/B Jordan Hickle
RPD (OHIO) and Airforce
marineboy09538@yahoo.com



I reflect, and remember:
All gave some
And some gave all
Some stood through
For the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties
And recall Some gave all. (unknown writer)

APD/Cincy Children's Hospital, KY
Officer, Joe Wilder
deputy1978@hotmail.com



I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you. I am a surviving wife and know first hand all of the emotional turmoil you must be going through. If I can be of any help please let me know. May God Bless You All.

With love, Gina Sharra-Surviving wife of Deputy Allen Sharra E.O.W 12-27-99

Gina Sharra, MI
ginasharra2002@yahoo.com
family survivor



Our thoughts and prayers are with the family they will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Panama City Police Dept.
Police Officer, James and Shannon Williams, FL



All give some but some give ALL. Our condolences to the family. You maybe 10-7 but you will NEVER be forgotten.

All SHEP members
Sterling Heights, MI Emergency Patrol
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased



US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



My prayers are with the families of all the fallen officers

FORT WAYNE, IN CITY POLICE RETIRED
SGT IRVIN LINDSEY
sargent1934@yahoo.com



I am so sorry to hear the death of this fine and young and courageous officer and also my deeply condolences to their family. I will pray for their family to god for their safety. God have mercy on their soul.....

Private Detective
Mirza Mukarram Beg, FL
muki_71@hotmail.com



As a Law Enforcement Officer myself I am sorry to hear about the lost of one my brother or sister Law Enforcement Officer. My heart goes out to the family of all fallen Officers.

Police Officer Martin Lee
jasperpd203@yahoo.com
JASPER POLICE DEPT. FL



My prayers are with the family. My brother is a police officer that was also shot numerous times on March 27, 2004 at 10 am and was know by Kevin. I still have my brother, but lord really watched over him and still is.. I pray every night for the families GOD BLESS YOU ALL....

GOD Bless every officer, EMT, Firefighter and all.... You are in our prayers DAILY

Tracey Collins
tcollins27@bellsouth.net
Malvern, AL



It is not how hey died, but how hey lived that makes them a hero. Gone but not forgotten.

Private Security Officer
Quinn Wyse, CANADA
quinn_wyse1@hotmail.com



God bless brother/sister, continue patrol through the heaven's gate. We'll do the same out here in the City of the Angels (Los Angeles, CA).

Los Angeles Police Department, CA
Police Officer, Jeff Collado
JEPEEDY@HOTMAIL.COM



Rest in peace, god protect you and your family

Sergeant Kevin Young, NYCPD
kpyoun29@verizon.net



To My Fallen Law Enforcement Brother there are many men and woman, who will arise to the occasion of "Keeping America's Highway's Safe." "God will be there for your family, trust me," So, I say to you now that you have the best job now of being a "Highway Trooper for Heaven, Protecting God's Highways To Him."

Mark Scott
Private Security Officer, CA
yodatwolf@yahoo.com



I'm really sorry, when a police officer dies a guard angel dies too. Molly live forever in the mind of all
cops of the world (and every cops fallen in action). Edgar Solera Ex sergeant of police
(Costa Rica, Guardia Civil)

Government Agent, Guardia Civil, Costa Rica
Edgar Solera
edgarsoleramontero@yahoo.com



Our prayers are with the family

US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



My deepest sympathy and prayers are with the family.

Fred Cog
Bailiff, NY



I am sorry for the deep loss to the family, friends and comrades.

US Federal Police (Retired) NV
Chief of Police, Tom Savage
copone@cox.net



The easiest way for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing....Edmund Burke. There are people who think that we do the job to be heroes, or for personal gain. They could never understand that it is about the person next to you.

Reserve Officer, Sergeant Aaron King
Josephine County Sheriffs Office, OR
akingermx@hotmail.com



It is abundantly clear that ALL of your fallen officers shared a common thread - they were of the highest caliber yet modest and unassuming in the approach of their duties. I believe that for as long as such
men and women patrol your streets with such commitment and professionalism, then you have much to be proud of. My heart goes out to all the bereaved families, but be assured, there is someone in "every" corner of the world who cares!

Don W.
Howling@thesilverymoon.fsnet.co.uk
Wildlife Protection Ranger (UK)
Gloucestershire, United Kingdom



May your family find peace and strength.  I know how it feels to lose a family member in the line of duty.  My prayers are with you.  They will be blessed for all that they did for us while they were here and now they can all watch over us.

Lauren, LA
summer8219@hotmail.com



Your job on earth is done and you are safely in God's hands. You are now our guardian angel who watches over us in heaven. Your family and fellow officers are in our prayers. God bless.

Beverly "Jake" Smith, Retired Reserve Officer
Gainesville Police Dept. FL
smithbc@ci.gainesville.fl.us



Walk tall, walk tall and protect us from above with honor and dignity. May you lead the charge for
citizens right in heaven as you did here on earth

Darrell Thompson
Privet Security Officer St. Clair Co. MI,
Community College Campus Patrol #14
darrell@policespecial.com
www.sc4.edu



Rest in peace, and may God allow him to keep watch over us on earth while he patrols his beat
in heaven. Our prayers go out to the Officer's Department family and friends. May they all find peace in their hearts soon.

From all the Staff at Police Special Inc.