Memories Only

This is the story of a mother-one of many mothers-whose life was impacted when use of excessive force and police violence resulted in the death of her child.



Few people can understand the grief, hurt, and anger that accompanies the loss of a child, unless they have experienced such loss. When her son, Matt, was killed at the hands of police officers, Vicki Graves could not find comfort in the words of well-intentioned friends and loved ones when they said, "He is in a better place now," "It was God's will," or "There are no coincidences or accidents. Everything happens for a reason."



Death is final. It makes you question your faith and beliefs when you know that your loved one will never come home again. Violent deaths are etched in our memory and are trigger points for sorrow, grief, sadness, and post-traumatic stress that requires a constant effort toward recovery.



Your child is always your child, from infancy until death and beyond. Memories Only is the story of one mother navigating that journey and preserving the memory of her son.