Community Remembers Life Of Matthew Rittner, Fallen MPD Officer

GREENFIELD, WI -- As the community mourns the loss of Matthew Rittner, the Milwaukee police officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty Tuesday morning, those who went to school with him conveyed his hardworking attitude, contagious positive attitude and respected his decision to serve his country.

Rittner graduated from Greenfield High School in 2001. On Thursday, school officials who either taught him or went to school with him reached out to share their memories.

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Former Greenfield High School teacher and tennis coach John Thomsen recalled Matthew as a pleasant, easygoing student with a great attitude.

“Matthew was thoughtful, kind, respectful, hardworking and always positive. As hardworking as Matthew was, he was also able to keep things "light" and really enjoyed his teachers, coaches, teammates and friends. Matthew's smile and overall positive disposition was contagious. It is no surprise that Matthew chose to serve his country, community and a calling greater than himself,”
said Thomsen.

Teacher Kevin Murphy, recalled Matthew as an inspiring student-athlete who was a role model for his classmates and was always eager to learn something new. “He came into the classroom or into the gym every day focusing on how to get better. He was a sponge and took all of it in. He was willing to work hard to rise to new academic and athletic levels,” said Murphy.

Greenfield Superintendent Lisa Elliott, who was a teacher when Rittner attended Greenfield High School, as well as a former classmate of Police Chief Alfonso Morales, issued the following

statement:

On behalf of the entire school district community, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Matthew Rittner of the Milwaukee Police Department.

We’re very proud of our graduates for their achievements and contributions to the community, particularly our graduates who serve in law enforcement. We appreciate the tremendous responsibility of our law enforcement officers, and we share in their grief for the loss of Officer Rittner.

Images Courtesy Greenfield School District