MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — Sgt. Matthew Fishman, 38, served with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years, and with the Mount Olive Police Department before that. He died Aug. 2, a day after he was shot and killed as he served involuntary commitment papers.
Fishman is survived by his wife Sarah, two children aged 10 and 14, his parents, two brothers and six nieces and nephews.
“Matthew has given the ultimate sacrifice,” his father Dave Fishman said at the funeral. He remembered his son for his faith, his love of his family and dedication to helping people around him.
Officers and deputies from around North Carolina, including as far away as Boone and Dare County, gathered Tuesday for the funeral at the arena at Mount Olive University. Hundreds gathered to join the family for the service, a casket covered by an American flag at the front.
“When Matthew set his mind to something, somehow, some way, it will get done,” the senior Fishman said. That extended to becoming a police officer.
Matthew Fishman graduated from the law enforcement program at Wayne County Community College. But he couldn’t get a job as a police officer right away because his “earlier driving record” wasn’t quite what the police department wanted in a new officer, his father said.
Determined to become a police officer, his father said Matthew Fishman made friends in the Mount Olive Police Department, went on ride-alongs and worked his way into a job as a police officer.
“The middle child who could warm your heart as well as test your nerves,” his father said, “Matthew was one who was more impressive in person than he is on paper.”
“Matthew Ryan Fishman was a dependable, loving, giving man,” Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce said Tuesday. “Everyone knew Sgt. Fishman for that big smile and his calming personality.”
“Last Monday Sgt. Fishman proved to everyone that he would not let his people down,” he said. “He paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Two other deputies were shot during the Aug. 1 incident, but survived their injuries. The suspect, 23-year-old Jourdan Hamilton, was later found in the home dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said.
Fishman's car sat outside the arena where the funeral was held. A bouquet bore his badge number: 5242. Some people had placed patches from different police departments under the bow, including from Chicago, Boston and New York.
After the service, police shut down one side of US-117 as the funeral procession escorted Fishman eight miles to the Wayne Memorial Park in Dudley. Members of the community and law enforcement from around the state lined the route.
A procession with more than a hundred cars with family members and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office members escorted the casket from the arena to the cemetery.
“A true hero and a true law enforcement officer,” the sheriff said. “Sgt. Fishman, rest easy, my brother, rest easy.”
Wayne County gave Fishman his final radio call to end the funeral: "Wayne central to 5242. Wayne central to 5242. Wayne central to 5242."
Two tones came over the radio, followed by, "All units be advised that 5242, Sgt. Matthew Fishman, is 10-42 for the final time. On behalf of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, we would like to thank you for your dedicated service to the citizens of Wayne County. You will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace."