A Mother's HeA Mother's Heartbreaking Call for Change After the Death of Her Son at the Hands of Policeartbreaking Call for Change After the Death of Her Son at the Hands of Police
Medford, Oregon 8, July Author and spiritual healer Vicki Graves has announced her deeply personal and moving book, Memories Only. This powerful non-fiction work shines a light on the tragic death of her son, Matthew Graves, who was killed by a police officer inside a Carl's Jr. restaurants facilities restroom, and the lifelong impact such violence leaves on a family.
Driven by unimaginable loss and grief, Vicki Graves transforms her pain into purpose. Through Memories Only, she shares her family's story: how an officer tased, choked, and shot Matthew twice in the back, even though he was unarmed, posed no threat, and had only entered the restaurant to buy a meal. Rather than diffusing the situation, the officer's actions ended Matthew's life and forever changed his family's.
Vicki also opens up about another devastating loss: her eldest son, Ben, who passed away unexpectedly from pneumonia nearly one year after Matthew's death. While Ben's passing was met with compassion and a desperate fight to save him, Matthew's death was marked by violence and disregard from those sworn "to protect and serve."
"Parents should never have to bury their children, especially at the hands of those meant to keep them safe," says Graves. "Death is so final. The grief never ends, it becomes part of who we are."
In this book, Vicki Graves not only memorializes her sons but also offers spiritual insight and hope for others navigating life after unimaginable tragedy. She shares how she discovered signs of Matthew's ongoing spiritual presence and how this connection became an integral part of her healing journey.
Memories Only is written for parents who have lost a child and for women who carry the dual weight of grief and unanswered questions that linger long after loss. It offers solace to families seeking spiritual comfort and understanding in the aftermath of heartbreak, while also reaching readers who feel compelled to confront the urgent need for accountability in policing and meaningful reform in officer training.
Beyond telling Matthew's story, Graves calls for justice and systemic change. Her message is clear: better training and accountability must replace excessive force, and no family should suffer such loss at the hands of those entrusted with public safety.
Memories Only is now available on Amazon.
About the Author:
Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Vicki Graves is a healer, mother, and author dedicated to bringing light to the darkest corners of grief. She previously published Share the Light (2014), a spiritual self-help book. Despite profound personal losses of three of her four children, Vicki continues to write, heal, and advocate for justice.
