Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Stephen, I remember you so well from our school years at St John the Baptist. You were always a good soul. You lost your life on my son’s fourth birthday. I did not find out about your sacrifice until a number of years later. It hurt to learn of your death. I have thought of you often over these many decades. My son recently retired as a lieutenant from Carlsbad PD. So you see, police officers have a special place in my heart. In blue unity I say, rest in peace and go with God. Ruth (Class of 1959)

Immigration Officer II
USCIS DHS

March 28, 2024

Officer Ondas,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 21, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Stephen J. Ondas of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 52 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

October 21, 2022

Steve was best man at my wedding. He was a wonderful man to look up to. He was always happy. I was blessed to know him, his parents, his wife and daughter. My second son's middle name is Stephan after Officer Stephan Ondas. Rest in Peace dear Steve.

Sally A. Olenick
Friend

May 6, 2022

Rest in peace.

J.R.

June 5, 2021

Remembering a fallen officer, with love and respect, taken too early in his public safety service to the community of Akron in 1972. Our childhood memories of the comrades in blue represented at that funeral and the deep family grief are still quite vivid. Please know you and your sacrifice are not forgotten. Many blessings to his family and friends.

Sandra D. (Ondas) Boggs
Tamra (Ondas) & Chief Terry Gallagher

Edward Ondas Family
Akron, OH

September 18, 2020

Never forgotten!! Thank you for your service! Phil Brady is my Uncle so this is something we will never forget! Your family is always in our thoughts and prayers!!

Erin
Niece of Phil Brady

August 14, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Ondas.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 25, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Stephen J. Ondas of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 45 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

October 21, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Stephen J. Ondas of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 44 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 21, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Stephen J. Ondas Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 44 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

End of Watch: Saturday, October 21, 1972

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

October 22, 2017

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

October 22, 2017

My best friend, I always think about you and would have traded some of my life if you could of only lived to raise your daughter.

Mike O
February 12, 2017

Michael Olenick
Best Friend

February 14, 2017

I miss my uncle.....I hate you and hope you die and suffer an eternity of hell fire Charles Hunt

Michael
My uncle

March 6, 2016

I wanted to let Steve's family know how hard we looked for his killer that night. The overlapping shift was held over, we did a street by street search. Their were only two cars left to cover the city - all others were involved in the manhunt.

Nothing moved on the west side that wasn't stopped.

It was not for a lack of trying that we didn't find his killer that night.

Cpt. (ret)
Akron PD

March 28, 2014

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 28, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 21, 2010

To Officer Ondas family and loved ones. I hope it has given you some comfort in knowing that he has not been forgotten. We can never "Thank him" enough for helping make our streets a better and safer place to raise families. God Bless

Ohio
sunnit county

June 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 31, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Vandenberghe
NH

October 17, 2007

DAY IS DONE,
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL, SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER OR SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHT,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL. SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY,
AS WE GO, THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

A Brother In Blue

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)

October 21, 2004

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies...

Rest in peace, hero.

October 21, 2004

Steve was one of the good guys, Steve was on the department less than ten months, His partner Phil Brady was seriously wounded during the incident.

Phil was able to return to duty after several operations.

Captain APD (ret.)