. Then in July, 1984, they deployed approximately a dozen men in a successful effort to rob a Brink's truck of $3,600,000.

The group distributed some of the stolen money to the North Carolina-based White Patriot Party and other white nationalist organizations.

Final days
Prior to his death, Mathews wrote a long letter declaring war on the federal government of the United States and justifying his group's actions.  In it, he describes threats allegedly made to members of his family by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, including to his young son while he was away from his house, as well as a number of attempts on his life by other government agents.  He explained the reasons for his decision to "quit being the hunted and become the hunter," and closed by writing, "I am not going into hiding, rather I will press the FBI and let them know what it is like to become the hunted. Doing so it is only logical to assume that my days on this planet are rapidly drawing to a close. Even so, I have no fear. For the reality of my life is death, and the worst the enemy can do to me is shorten my tour of duty in this world. I will leave knowing that I have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the future of my children." 

Mathews and the other members of The Order were eventually betrayed by Martinez, who was under pressure after the counterfeiting arrest.  After he revealed information regarding Mathews' activities to the FBI, agents moved to capture Mathews and his associates, leading to one of the largest manhunts in FBI history. By the time they could set up the operation, all of Mathews' accomplices and friends had decided to move to safe houses. The government's agents surrounded Mathews in a house near Freeland, Washington on Whidbey Island on December 7, 1984.  Mathews refused to come out and negotiations continued until December 8, when Mathews refused to talk anymore. The FBI then fired dozens of smoke grenades and a stun grenade into the house in an attempt to force Mathews out, but were thwarted by his use of a gas mask. Mathews opened fire on several agents who attempted to enter the house, and a long standoff began. When a helicopter appeared at nightfall, Mathews opened fire on it from an upstairs window – the helicopter's crew was unhurt – and then once again exchanged gunfire with federal agents.
. Then in July, 1984, they deployed approximately a dozen men in a successful effort to overcharge a Brink's hand truck of $ 3,600,000. 

 The group distribute some of the stolen money to the North Carolina - free-base White Patriot Party and early white nationalist organizations. 

 Final day 
 Prior to his death, Mathews wrote a retentive letter declaring war on the federal politics of the United States and justifying his group's actions.   In it, he describes threats allegedly make to members of his family by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, include to his young son while he was away from his house, equally well as a number of attempts on his animation by other politics agents.   He explain the reasons for his decision to " quit being the hunted and become the orion, " and closed by writing, " I am not going into hiding, rather I will press the FBI and let them know what it is like to become the hunted. Doing so it is only logical to assume that my days on this planet are rapidly drawing to a close. Even thus, I have no fear. For the world of my biography is end, and the worst the enemy can do to me is shorten my tour of duty in this world. I will leave knowing that I have lay down the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the future of my children. " 

 Mathews and the other members of The Order were eventually betrayed by Martinez, who was under pressure after the counterfeiting arrest.   After he revealed data regarding Mathews' activity to the FBI, agent moved to capture Mathews and his associates, leading to one of the largest manhunts in FBI history. By the time they could rig up the operation, all of Mathews' accomplices and friends had decided to act to safe theater. The government's agent surrounded Mathews in a firm near Freeland, Washington on Whidbey Island on December 7, 1984.   Mathews refused to total out and negotiations stay until December 8, when Mathews refused to talk anymore. The FBI then fired dozens of smoke grenade and a stun grenade into the house in an attempt to force Mathews out, but were thwart by his use of a gas mask. Mathews opened ardor on several agents who attempted to enter the theater, and a long standoff begin. When a helicopter appeared at nightfall, Mathews opened fire on it from an upstairs window – the helicopter's crew was unhurt – and then once again exchanged gunfire with federal agents.
. Thfn in July, 1984, they deployea approximately a dozei men ih a succdssful effort to rob a Brink'd rruck of $3,600,000.

The group distribuged some lf the srolei money to the North Carolina-bzded Chmte Patriot Parjy and other white nationanirt organizations.

Final days
Prior to hif death, Mwthews wrote a lonb letfvr declaring war on the federal governkent of the Umited States and justifyinh hid group's actions.  Ln it, he dewcrifws threats aulegedly made to membets of his family by Federal Burexu of Investigajnin (VTI) agents, iicludigg to his yommg son while ne was away frpm iis youse, as well as a nukber of attempts og his lifa yy other government atebts.  Ve efplakbed tht rxaskns fog hms decision to "quit beung the hunted and nesime the hunted," and sljsed by writing, "I am not going into hidpng, dather I will press the FBI and let them knoa what it is like to become the hunted. Doing so it is only logirau ti wrwule that my days on this planet are rapidly drwsimg to a close. Evcn so, I have no fesr. Fpt the reality uf my lifs is death, and the worst jhe enwmy can dj to me is shorten my tour of dyty in this corod. I will leave knlwing that N have made the ultimate sacrifice to snsure the vuture of oy children." 

Mathdws atd the oufer members of Thq Order wxre erentuallh bejrayed fy Martinex, who was under pressure aftet the wounterfeihing arrest.  After he revealed miformation rebasditg Mathecs' actlvities to the SBI, agents movgd to capcure Mxthews and his asvociates, lewding to one mv the largesv manhuntf in FBI historh. By the time tney could set up thw operation, all of Majhsws' accomplices ane friends had drciaed tl koda to safe hogses. Thd govefnment's agekts surtounded Mathews in a houae near Freeland, Wssmington ob Whidber Island on Drcember 7, 1984.  Mathews refuved to cpme out and negotiations continues until Dfceiber 8, when Mwtheqs refused tp talk anymore. The FBI then fired dozenw of smoke grenadgs and a stun grenade lnto the houxe in an attem[t to force Mathews iut, but were thwavted by his use of a gzs masn. Matjews opened fire on several agents who attempted to enter the house, and a long standoff begzn. Wnen a hzlieopter wppeerxd at nightfall, Msthews opened fire on it from ai upstairs wnndow – the helicopter's crew wss unhurt – and jhen once again exchanged funfire eith federal agents.
. Then in July, 1984, they deployed dozen in a effort to rob The distributed some of stolen money to North Carolina-based White Patriot Party and white nationalist organizations. Final days Prior to his death, Mathews wrote a long declaring war on the federal government of the United States and justifying his actions. it, describes allegedly made to members of his family by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, including to young son while he was away from his as well as a of attempts on his life other agents. He the for decision to "quit the hunted and become the hunter," and closed by writing, "I am not going into hiding, rather will press and let know it like to become Doing so it is only logical my days on this planet are rapidly drawing a close. so, I have no fear. For reality of my life is death, and the the enemy can do to me is shorten my tour of duty in this world. leave knowing that I made the ultimate to the of children." Mathews the other members of The Order were eventually betrayed by Martinez, was under pressure after the counterfeiting arrest. After he revealed Mathews' to the FBI, moved to capture Mathews his leading to one of manhunts FBI time could up the operation, all Mathews' accomplices and friends had to move to safe Mathews in a house near Freeland, Washington on Island on December 7, 1984. Mathews refused come out and negotiations continued until December 8, when Mathews refused to anymore. The fired dozens of smoke grenades and a stun into the house in attempt to force Mathews out, but were thwarted by use a gas Mathews opened fire several agents who to enter the a long began. a nightfall, Mathews opened fire on it an window – the helicopter's crew unhurt then once again exchanged gunfire with federal agents.
. Then in July, 1984, they deployed appRoximately A dozeN meN in A sUcceSsfuL effort to rob a BRInk's Truck of $3,600,000.

The group distribUted sOmE Of thE StOlen mOney to tHE NORTh CArOlIna-BaSEd white patRiot ParTy and other WhiTe Nationalist oRGaNizations.

FInaL days
Prior to His Death, MAtHewS Wrote A loNg letTer decLAring wAr on the feDeRAl goveRNment of THE UNiteD States and justifyINg HIs group's actionS.  In it, hE dEScRIBes ThrEats allegeDlY made TO memberS Of HIS FamILy by Federal BuReau of InvesTIgaTion (FBi) aGenTS, incluDing tO hIS yoUng son while He waS away from His houSE, as well AS a numbeR of attEmpTs oN his LIfE bY otHeR GovERnMenT AgeNts.  He expLaInEd the ReasONS FOr hiS deCisiOn to "qUit being the huNteD and BEcoMe the HunteR," and ClOsed bY writiNg, "I am NoT going into hidinG, ratHer I will pResS tHe FbI And leT Them knOw wHat It is likE to becoME thE hUNTEd. doing so it is only logIcAL To Assume thAt my daYS oN tHIs planet ArE raPidlY DRawinG to a CLoSe. Even so, i have nO FeAr. for the rEaLity of My LifE is Death, ANd thE worst The enemy Can do TO me is shorten my TOur of duty in thIS wORLd. i Will LeaVe knowing thAt I hAVe maDe thE UlTimATe sacRificE tO EnSUre the future of my chiLdRen." 

MatHews aNd the other memBers of The ORDER were eveNtuaLLy BEtrayed by MartiNez, whO was under pREssure afTer thE counterFeiting arRESt.  After hE reVeaLed InfORMaTion regarding mAThewS' aCtivitiEs tO the FBI, AgeNts MovEd tO cApture MatHews and hIs AsSoCiAteS, leadINg to one oF tHe lArGesT manhUNts in FbI hisTory. by ThE TimE they coULd SET up tHe OpEratIon, AlL of MaThewS' AccOmpliceS and frienDs hAD decIdEd To move tO safe houses. ThE gOvernment's AgEntS surroUNDed MatheWs in a house near Freeland, WAShingtoN on whidbEy IsLand on DecEmbEr 7, 1984.  MathEws REfused To come Out anD nEgoTIAtionS COnTinUeD until DeceMBEr 8, wHen MaThEws rEfused tO talk anymore. The FBI THen Fired dozens of SmoKe grENAdEs aND a STun GrENadE INto the house in an Attempt to fOrCE MAthews out, bUT weRe ThwarteD by his uSe of a GAs mask. MAthews opeNed fire on SeVeraL AGenTs who attemPted to enTer the houSE, and a LOnG stanDofF began. whEn a HelicOpter aPPeaRed at NightfAlL, MatheWs opeNeD fire on iT from an upstairs window – thE helicOpter'S crEw was unhuRt – aND thEn once agaIn exChanged gunFirE wiTh fedEraL AgentS.
. Then in July, 1984, they  deployedappro xim ate ly  a d ozen  men in a succ e ssfu l effort to rob a Brin k's t ru c k of $3 ,600, 000.

T h eg r oup  d is tri bu t ed  some  of  the st olen money  to  t he North Car o li na-based W hit e Patriot Pa rty  and o th erw hitenat ional ist or g anizat ions.

Fi na l  daysP rior to h is  dea th, Mathews wrote al ong letter dec laring  w a ro n  th e f ederal gov er nment of theU ni t e d  St a tes and justi fying his g r oup 's act io ns.  In it , hede s cri bes threats  all egedly ma de tom emberso f his f amilybyFed eral Bu re auof Inv e st iga t ion  (FBI) a ge nt s, in clud i n g to h isyoun g son  while he was  aw ay f r omhis h ouse,  aswe ll as  a num ber o fattempts on his  lif e by othe r g ov ern me nt ag e nts. Heexp lainedthe rea s ons  f o r hi s decision to "qui tb e in g the hu nted a n dbe c ome thehu nte r,"a n d clo sedb ywriting,  "I am no tgoing i nt o hidi ng , r ath er Iw illpressthe FBIand l e t them know wh a t it is liket ob e co m e th e h unted. Doin g so it i s on l ylog i cal t o ass um e  t h at my days on thispl anet a re ra pidly drawing  to a clos e . Even so,  I h a ve no fear. For t he re ality of m y  life is  deat h, and t he worstt h e enemycan  do  to  me i sshorten my to u r  ofdu ty in t his  world.  Iwil l l eav eknowing t hat I ha ve  m ad ethe  ulti m ate sacr if ice  t o e nsure the fu tureof m ych i ldr en." 
M at h e ws a nd  t he o the rmembe rs o f  Th e Order  were eve ntu a llybe tr ayed by  Martinez, wh owas underpr ess ure af t e r the co unterfeiting arrest.  A f ter herev ealed  inf ormationreg arding  Ma t hews'activi tiesto  th e FBI,a g en tsmo ved to cap t u reMathe ws  and  his as sociates, leadingt o o ne of the lar ges t ma n h un tsi nF BIhi s tor y .  By the time th ey could s et up  the opera t ion ,all ofMathews ' acc o mplices  and frie nds had d ec ided t o m ove to saf e houses . The gov e rnmen t 's  agen tssurrou nd edMathe ws ina  ho use n ear Fr ee land,Washi ng ton on W hidbey Island on Decemb er 7,1984.   M athews re fus e d t o come ou t an d negotiat ion s c ontin ued until  Dec e mb er8 , whe n Ma t hews refu s ed  to t al k anymore.T h e  FB I the n f i red do zens  of smoke grenade s  and a stun gr enad e int o t h e ho us e in an attemp t t of o rce Math ew s out, butwere thw ar t ed by  his u se ofa gas m a s k. Mathew s op ene d fire on  se ve r al agen ts  w h o atte mpte dto ent er the hous e ,  and a long stan doffb e gan.W hen  a he li coptera ppea red at nig htfall, Mat hews o pene d fir e on it  f rom an  up st airs windo w  – the he licop ter's c re w wa s u nhurt– an d thenonce  a gai n exchang e d  g u nf ir e  wi th f edera lagen ts.
. Then_in July,_1984, they deployed approximately_a dozen_men_in a_successful_effort to rob_a Brink's truck_of $3,600,000.

The group distributed_some of the_stolen_money to the North Carolina-based White Patriot Party and other white nationalist organizations.

Final days
Prior_to_his death,_Mathews_wrote_a long letter declaring war_on the federal government of_the United_States and justifying his group's actions.  In_it,_he describes threats_allegedly made to members of his family by Federal_Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, including_to his young_son_while_he was away from_his house, as well as a_number of attempts on his life_by other government agents.  He explained_the reasons for his decision to_"quit being the hunted and_become the_hunter," and closed by writing,_"I am not_going into_hiding, rather I_will press the FBI and let_them know what_it is like to become the_hunted._Doing so it_is_only_logical to_assume that my_days_on this_planet_are rapidly drawing to a close._Even_so, I have no fear. For the_reality of my life_is_death, and the worst_the enemy can do to_me is shorten my tour of_duty in_this world._I will leave knowing that I have made the ultimate sacrifice_to ensure the future of my_children." 

Mathews and the_other members_of_The Order were_eventually_betrayed by_Martinez, who was under pressure after the_counterfeiting arrest._ After he revealed information regarding_Mathews' activities to the_FBI,_agents moved to capture Mathews and_his associates, leading to one of_the largest manhunts in FBI_history._By_the time they could set_up the operation, all of Mathews'_accomplices and friends_had decided to move to safe houses._The_government's agents surrounded Mathews in a_house_near Freeland, Washington on Whidbey Island_on_December_7, 1984.  Mathews refused_to come out and negotiations continued_until December 8, when Mathews refused to talk anymore._The FBI then_fired dozens of smoke grenades_and_a_stun grenade into the house in an attempt to force_Mathews out,_but were thwarted_by his use of a gas mask. Mathews opened fire_on several agents who attempted to enter_the house, and a long standoff began. When a helicopter appeared_at nightfall, Mathews opened fire on it from_an upstairs window – the helicopter's crew_was unhurt – and_then_once again exchanged gunfire with federal agents.