August 2, 2022, 38, Goldsboro –

Matthew Ryan Fishman, age 38, passed away on Tuesday from gunshot wounds he received while protecting and serving the people in Wayne County, North Carolina.

Born at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, he is the son of Pastor Dave & Stacy Fishman.  Matthew is the middle son of three boys.  He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Sarah and their two children (Nolan, 14 and Kara, 10); his parents Dave & Stacy Fishman; his brothers Michael and Monica Fishman and Joshua and Amanda Fishman along with nieces and nephews: Allyson Brimberry, Noah Fishman, Morgan Brimberry, Wyatt Fishman, Raylan Fishman, and Emilea Fishman.

First and foremost, Matthew is a Christian—a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  He is a member of Love Memorial Baptist Church serving on the Security Team as well as Game Time with the AWANAs.

Matthew is a giver and not a taker…making sacrifices is not something new to him.  He would give a stranger the shirt off his back if it would help the stranger.  Friends find him dependable, trustworthy, and extremely eager to help and do anything he could for their benefit.

Matthew has a disarming smile that brings down barriers and puts people at ease.  That same smile could be a little impish in that he would be looking to do something to relieve tension and make a serious and potentially hurtful situation a little better to deal with for whoever he was looking to help.

Matthew loves his family—spending time with them was always a top priority.  These times would include camping on the beach, day trips around Eastern North Carolina, or even the world’s best kickball championships between he and Kara against Sarah and Nolan in their yard.

Matthew became “Mr. Fixit” around their home working projects and making things to fit their needs and wants.  He learned woodworking and built shelving, cabinets, and desks for the home.  No project was too simple or too difficult for him to tackle.  If his family needed it—he would figure out how to do it and get it done.

Matthew, from early childhood, had dreamed of becoming a police officer.  Those dreams became a reality as he was sworn in as a Mount Olive Policeman.  After some time there he moved his talents to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, where he has served since 2010.  Matthew appreciated the opportunity to make his start in Mount Olive he has remained an Auxiliary on that police department.  Matthew has served on the Dive Team as well as a K-9 Handler for the sheriff’s department.

Only heaven will know the impact Matthew has made in our community, however as each day passes we are seeing and hearing more and more of the good he has done.  Matthew is grateful to serve and help!

Matthew’s signature on e-mail correspondence included something from the Psalms—it was a reminder and a word of hope.  It reads:

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1—4).

Matthew is a good Christian, husband, father, son, brother, and deputy!

A service to celebrate Matthew’s life will be held Tuesday, August 9th at 11 am at the University of Mount Olive’s Kornegay Arena.  Burial with honors will follow at Wayne Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale Trust Account (on the memo line please put “Fishman Family”)

Mail to:     Baddour, Parker, Hine, & Hale

                PO Box 916

                Goldsboro, NC 27533

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Fishman Family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com