Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Matthew Prichard Obituary
Matthew Michael Prichard, 28, of Elk Grove, CA was called to rest on Sunday, April 20, 2008. Matt received a fatal gunshot wound while at his home in Elk Grove, CA. Matt was born on March 14, 1980 in Singapore. He was the beloved only son of Michael and Marianne Prichard. He spent his childhood in more than 30 countries. Matt graduated with honors from Simon Sanchez High School in Yigo, Guam in 1998. In high school, Matt was a stand-out athlete, lettering in golf, basketball, football, track and soccer. Matt served four years as a Calvary Scout in the United States Army. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers at Ft. Polk, LA and was honorably discharged in 2002. Matt graduated with honors from Sacramento State University with a degree in criminal justice in 2005. Matt's lifelong dream was to become a police officer. With great joy, Matt was hired as a police officer with the Sacramento Police Department in 2006. Matt was a devoted and compassionate officer who loved his work and his law enforcement family. Matt is survived by his wife Esther Prichard, stepson Alex and unborn daughter of Elk Grove, CA; mother, Marianne Prichard of Vietnam; sisters, Michelle Tulang of Jacksonville, FL and Melissa Masing of Citrus Heights, CA; grandmother, Lorraine Prichard of Auburn, CA; aunts, Sue Alvarez of Orangevale, CA, Judy Pinegar of Loomis, CA, Ann Prichard Reed of Sacramento, CA, Elizabeth Harmon of Long Beach, CA and Cynthia Lawrence of Carmichael, CA; uncles, Dan Reed of Sacramento, CA, Howard Lawrence of Carmichael CA and Charles Mitchell of Sacramento, CA; nephew, Michael Tulang of Jacksonville, FL; brother-in-law, Marshall Tulang of Jacksonville, FL; sister-in-law, Chelena Masing of Citrus Heights, CA; cousins; Elizabeth Lawrence of Tuscan, AZ, David Pinegar of Germany, Kevin Pinegar of Loomis, CA and Julie Pinegar of Chico, CA. He will also be greatly missed by numerous friends and colleagues. Matt was predeceased by his father, Michael Thomas Prichard, on October 6, 1998. A memorial will be held in Matthew's honor on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 6 PM, Saint Mark's United Methodist Church located at 2391 St. Marks Way, Sacramento, CA 95864.
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore.
It's gettin' dark, too dark for me to see
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.
- Bob Dylan
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
How to support Matthew's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Matthew Prichard's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
