Matthew Klein – 2018 Distinguished Alumnus

Matthew Klein

Matthew Klein is a William Floyd High School graduate Class of 1999. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the 3rd Infantry Division as a machine gunner and a squad marksman. He conducted two tours in Iraq, receiving the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and a Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds inflicted upon him as a large IED (improvised explosive device) was detonated in close proximity to him. Matthew Klein was honorably discharged in 2006 after completing more than 400 combat missions during his two tours of Iraq.

Matthew is now a detective assigned as a forensic artist with the New York City Police Department (NYPD). He serves in this elite unit with only two other detectives, whose primary focus is on creating the likeness of suspects by interviewing witnesses where there is no surveillance footage available. The likeness of the suspect is then placed on a “wanted poster” and widely disseminated to the public in order to identify the suspect. Detective Klein has had many key identifications based on his forensic sketches, and many perpetrators have been brought to justice because of his drawings.

Matthew has children enrolled in the William Floyd School District and is proud of his roots in the community. “I’ve definitely had an interesting and action-packed life and career,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with a great family and it all started in the William Floyd School District.” He hopes that his story will inspire current William Floyd students.