Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am the only surviving officer that responded to the call on Daisy Court. The suspect shot me in the right arm after shooting Steve. We returned fire killing the suspect. Other officers on the scene that day were: Lt. Roy Pugh, Sgt. Malcolm Griffin, Ofc. Charlie Collins. Malcolm also sustained a gunshot wound. May they all rest in peace.
Steve was a lifelong friend as well as a fellow officer. For months after I would pickup the phone to call Steve. The loss would hit me again.
May all my brothers rest in peace.

Sgt. Clark Boutwrll (retired)
Troy Alabama Police Department

May 24, 2023

We graduated the Alabama Police Academy in Selma together. It was a long time ago, but I still remember Steve. He was a kind hearted "jokester" that everyone liked. Though many seasons have come and gone, we are never fully gone as long as someone remembers us.

Ga. State Surveillance (Ret.) Aaron Bout
Probation

November 11, 2022

I was in high school in Troy when Steve was killed. Though I didn’t know him well, not a Thanksgiving night goes by that I don’t think of him and his family.

Deputy Jonathan Spann
St. Clair County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office

November 26, 2020

My friend and fellow officer Steve Watkins was killed in the line of duty 40 years ago tomorrow. I will never forget the day. Rest In Peace my brother.

Grady Reeves Chief of Police (Ret)
Troy Police Department

November 25, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Watkins.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 28, 2020

I was working for enterprise police when the shooting happen; I had met Steve a few weeks before. When the shooting went out I was headed to Troy on highway 167; when they announced the shooter dead. I understand the pain the family has to feel because in 2000 I lost my son as a military police officer. My heart goes out to the family on this day; know his service is never forgotten.

Tom Gleason
Retired state of Florida

November 22, 2018

I was in Boot Camp with Steve (Plt 106, MCRD PI, Jan - Mar 76). We chased each other to MP School, Ft McClellan, Ala. Steve took me home to his house for a long weekend.

I can not remember ever have as much fun as with Steve.

Steve went to MCB LeJeune, I went home, as I was a reserve, then on to the West PAC on active duty.

We spoke again in '79, he did not age, it was the same Steve- God fearing, fun seeking guy.

Today I remember Steve and all that he stood for.

Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas,

Ken Wymer
DHS, USA

May 15, 2012

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

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.Rest In Peace

I pray for solace for all those that love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever To his marine buddies, thank you for sharing a marine's devotion to his fallen comrade. My son was also Officer Watkins' brother in green.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 13, 2012

Rest in peace, sir, you were thought of today.

Investigator George Erdel
Beaufort PD, Beaufort SC

November 26, 2011

I was in a Military Police Unit in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Lejune with Steve Watkins. I remember that he idolized "Bufford Pusser" and all he wanted to do when he got out was to be a deputy sheriff "with his belt buckle parralel to the ground." The USMC kept telling Steve that they would kick him out of the Marine Corps if he didn't lose weight so Steve kept trying to eat his way out of the Marine Corps and would bring back pecan pies from Alabama that his mother would make with Karo syrup to help him. The USMC never did kick him out. It was very sad when I learned of his death after he got out. My condolences to his family.

D/Sgt. Steven Robinson
Michigan State Police [Ret]

October 21, 2009

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
Manchester, NH

November 26, 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

July 24, 2007

We pause to honor the memory of Officer Watkins. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of his surviving family members, especially during this time of year.

May God comfort and keep each of you.

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery, AL - Police Department

December 19, 2006

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

Officer 11169

November 2, 2006

I first met and worked with Steve while serving as a Military Policeman in the 4th Platoon at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I learned of his death when I came home from college on Christmas break and opened an envelope sent from his family containing newspaper clippings of Steve’s funeral. Today I still have those clippings and every now and then I take them out and read about my friend from Alabama and remember talking to him on the telephone about a cruise that he had recently taken prior to his death.

I will never understand why his life was taken but I know without a doubt that Steve is in Heaven and someday I will see and talk to him again when I get there. He will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Mark Knox
Missouri State Highway Patrol

April 22, 2005

"Steve" was a great guy. I served with him in the Marine Corps where we were MPs. He was a guy who loved to laugh and was a good friend. We shared a mutual faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He was precious to me. I remember him often. God bless all who remember Steve.

Detective Sgt. Mark Nelson
Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office

I worked with Steve at Camp Lejeune,NC as a Military Policeman. Im glad to see he is being remembered here. I have looked online for a few years now and was glad to finally find something. We all missed his sense of humor when he got out of the corps. His former platoon was on duty the day this happened. God bless him.

Jim Petoskey
Grand Travese Band Conservation