WINTER HAVEN - Matthew T Beckley, 33, of Winter Haven, died Thursday, September 27, 2007 as a result of an accident. Born October 5, 1973 in Oregon, OH to Thomas H and Jane E. (Aspacher) Beckley, he grew up in Fremont, Ohio and attended Auntie Elma's Preschool, Lutz Elementary School and Fremont Jr. High before moving to Florida.

In Florida he attended Winter Haven High School and Polk Community College where he studied criminal justice. He served most of his police career in the motorcycle divisions at both the Winter Haven Police Department from 1996-2003 and Lakeland Police Department from 2003-2005. As an officer in Lakeland he received a couple of unit citations and was "Number One" in the "Click it or Ticket Buckle up Florida" campaign two years in a row. He also received the distinguished performance award Highest Statistic.

Matt was a Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiast, a civil war and WWII memorabilia collector, he loved to fish, spend time with his dogs (Toby, Hans I and Hans II), and access the internet, especially E-Bay, My Space, and gaming.

He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Helena, Ohio, during his childhood.

He is survived by his mother, Jane Beckley, Fremont OH, grandmother Phyllis Beckley, Winter Haven Fl., aunts, uncles, and cousins in Florida, Ohio and Michigan.

 He was Preceded in death by his father Thomas H, grandfather Harold Beckley Florida and grandparents Norma & Richard Keller Ohio.

The family will receive friends from 3:00pm will 8:00pm, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven.  Funeral Services and burial will take place in Fremont, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers the family has requested that Memorials be made to The Winter Haven Police Dept. D.A.R.E. Program, 125 North Lake Silver Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33881 of the Lakeland Police Department Chaplaincy Corps, 219 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.