Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Kathy Steed
Surviving spouse

November 29, 2021

Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, D.Div, MSBS, NCCA
Ordained/Licensed Independent Christian Clergy
Merrimack, NH 03054

Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department

February 22, 2021

I drove past the memorial sign today (Interstate 5) and upon arriving at my destination searched and read about Officer Steed. I am thankful, these 42 years later, for his willingness to sacrifice his life in his mission to serve and protect. Each time I pass the sign now, I will offer a prayer for his widow and family. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Richard Ajer
A Grateful California Citizen

November 29, 2020

For Officer Steed's Family, Friends and Colleagues and Child- it is time.

These are personal facts and the police had done a fantastic job of keeping my privacy in anonymity. Although the fact is I am not anyone special, just a homesteader's kid from Alaska who everyone felt certain would become a forest ranger one day. But at age nineteen I witnessed your death Rick and was the last person to hold your hand in that alleyway. I saw your assailant come running out of a carport but it was too late. That same individual who requested your assistance because he claimed someone else had slashed his hand. That same individual who before you arrived claimed 'the bad guy" who cut him had left the scene which may have caused you to come in alone cancelling your back up. Emergency over, right?

When you parked your patrol car in the alley in front of the trash dumpster and exited to the rear of your patrol to investigate that's when the unthinkable occurred. I dropped my dog's leash when the shot rang out (I cannot recall today if more than one) and my dog took off after the individual and I stayed behind with you while the world stood still.

I suppose our time here seems to be punctuated by these moments of truth when we stand at one threshold or another and are required to put it all on the line.

Being there with you that night is what lead me later to Harbor General and Paramedic training, then into a decade of emergency medicine in Las Vegas of all places. In fact, you lead me into becoming a doctor of chiropractic and to becoming a lawyer.

Officer Steed's death had profoundly defined the majority of my life and molded my own character. It is now the time for me to come forward and state that you had not been forgotten, not for a moment.

Nancy M. Molina, DC, MBA, JD
Your Witness

September 23, 2020

Remembering Officer Steed, he had dinner on shift at my house the day before. Great man!

Reserve Supervisor, Allen Ribelin
San Clemente Police Department

April 26, 2020

Remembering Officer Steed, he had dinner on shift at my house the day before. Great man!

Reserve Supervisor, Allen Ribelin
San Clemente Police Department

April 26, 2020

Officer Steed,
On today, the 40th 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 USMC in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO/former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 29, 2018

Dave Hartman, Bill Trudeau and I arrived to assist Rick however he had been fatally wounded. Rick was a really solid guy. Rick was also a Marine who served two tours in Vietnam.

Sgt. Tim Ferrill
San Clemente PD 1976-1979/Long Beach Beach Police Department 1979-2006

June 23, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to this country.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 29, 2017

I drive past your memorial sign on I-5 every day. May we always remember you, and the sacrifice you gave to protect your community.

1stLt Synn
United States Marine Corps

September 20, 2014

Thank you Officer Steed for your years of hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great city and state of San Clemente, California You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever, rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sgt. Mitch Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

November 23, 2013

We have a memorial highway sign for you now Rick, 30+ years later! You will never be forgotten. I was only 19 when you were killed, but I was engaged to a fellow officer and it affected me so much that I sat in my car that week on my lunch break and wrote this:

Our Fallen Officer

It was a dark, star-filled night
as he drove into the alley
a killer waited, hidden out of sight
Seconds later, the officer lay dead on the ground
The echo of two shots fired was the only sound
the man who held the gun had already fled
he had carried out his plan
and now a good cop was dead.
This tragedy, the officers did not want to believe
their loss was evident as each one of them grieved
While the rest of the once quiet city slept,
the fallen officer's comrades lay their heads down and wept.
The police all wore their badges with black mourning bands and at his funeral later, his casket was proudly carried despite their shaking hands
Hundreds of police came to the funeral that day
to make Rick Steed's last call with him to the grave where he'll lay
Standing at attention, many of them cried, for it was in the line of duty that their fellow officer had died
For the sake of the killer, let him not ever be freed
Because San Clemente will never forget the senseless death of our Officer Steed

R

A former police wife
San Clemente PD

February 4, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Steed. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 131rst 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
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 29, 2009

Officer Steed may you rest in peace. San Clemente is blessed to have had a hero like you that sacrificed their life to keep us residents safe. Thank you & may God Bless you eternally.

San Clemente Resident

May 16, 2009

I miss you....I am the one that wrote, "our fallen officer"
Pls help me find it..My daddy is retired OCSD, I need to find this poem!!!

Love you....be careful,
Andi

January 18, 2008

Rick,

i just went by your grave...almost 30 yrs later.I still miss you..you made us all laugh so hard.I was the one who wrote, " our fallen officer". I can't find it anywhere in San Clemente.. can anyone out there help me? I want my children and future grandkids to see what I wrote...especially since my step-dad Richard Cedarstaff has retired from OCSD.Love you all.Be careful out there...times have changed....Andi

your friend Andi
previous police wife

January 18, 2008

No fellow Southern California law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.

Officer Steed, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

November 29, 2007

rest in peace hero

vandenberghe
nh

November 29, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER MET YOU OR WAS BORN WHEN THIS HORRIBLE INCIDENT HAPPEN I WANT TO SEND MY CONDOLENCE TO THE PERSONS WHO KNEW YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

Latrice

September 7, 2007

I too recall the night you were gunned down. I was working with your best buddy. Tom Jordan when we heard the news. I think of you every time I go onto San Clemente. You will always be remembered.

John Kenney / Retired SAC
California Department of Justice

July 24, 2007

G-d Bless.

November 29, 2006

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

Rest in Peace Brother, we have the watch from here.

Ptl. C. Johnson
HPD

January 4, 2005