Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Been a long time brother. Still think and talk about you often. Came across an old photo of us dove hunting and it really hit me. We had some damn good times amigo. One of the first times I ever strapped on a gun and badge I was with you. You told me “If you ever see me take off my hat get ready to go hands on”. That night we got sent to a domestic and you told the guy he was going to jail…. He said he wasn’t….. you took off your hat and set it on the trunk of your car. Me being super green I remember my heart racing thinking here we go. Well you put your hat back on. You took it on and off several times arguing back and forth with the guy and each time was an instant adrenaline dump for this rookie officer. Finally the guy just turned around and put his hands behind his back and you cuffed him. Looking back I’m guessing the peaceful resolution was most likely due to your size. Just a couple days ago I was talking with Rick and we laughed about the time the guy was hiding under the house and we were trying to coax him out so someone said we were going to turn the dogs loose on him even though we had no dogs back then. In your big deep voice you started barking and I’ll be damned he fell for it and came crawling out from under the house because he was afraid of being bitten. Good times. You have Jay up there with you now so y’all keep an eye out for us down here. With the good Lords blessing we will meet again. Miss you my friend.

Lieutenant (Ret)

December 2, 2023

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Stephenson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 12, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 12, 2020

I proudly mailed out my NO PAROLE letter on behalf of HERO Deputy Sheriff Mark Stephenson today. Thank You for your service and sacrifice. You are not forgotten!

God Bless You All!

Allie Wroten
Proudly Supporting All L.E.O.’s
Wife of a Corrections Deputy

February 16, 2020

Rest in peace brother, you have not been forgotten. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice has not been in vain. God bless the family, friends, and former co-workers of Deputy Stephenson during this time of painful re-opening of a never healing wound.

I will be sending out my No-Parole letter tomorrow.

Sgt Donnie Meaders
Wetumka (OK) Police Department

February 4, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Stephenson,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Atascosa County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 12, 2019

As the 20 year Anniversary approaches that dreadful day seems as if time stood still. October comes around and the closer the day gets I watch the time closer and closer and my thoughts tell my heart it’s here again and I relive those moments again. Time has made It a little less painful but I don’t forget.

Losing you crippled me, I think I lost myself for a little over a year. Thank God for your sister Diana God Rest her Soul she was my living angel always there for the kids and I. I have struggled and been thru a lot and managed to find my way back, I still smile and I keep getting back up. I still miss you so... not a day goes by that I don’t think of you several times a day, on days I go to work I greet you as I walk past your photo “Good Morning my Love today’s gonna be a good day” and keep looking forward as if to make the day an even better day for those around me and others. Seeing your photo warms my heart and makes me glad your brothers in Blue remember you to. I miss the sound of your voice, those big bear hugs and that little laugh of yours. You are never forgotten in our home. The kids all miss you think of you and wonder what it would have been like if you were here with us. Glad you came in early on your last night to spend some time with me and thankful for the last few hours we had together God knew I needed that time with you. I Thank You for being the man and father you were and most of all for being such a loyal and devoted friend and officer, your sacrifice is never forgotten and now you protect all from above with a farther reach. I love you always and miss you something awful and look forward to the day we meet again.

All on Gods time.

I Love you Always Forever
Rachel ❤️

Communication/Rachel Stephenson
ACSO/Wife

October 2, 2019

I remember being a young child living in a home where family violence was a normal everyday event. You would come and save the day...you were my hero then and you still are

Patrol officer
Anonymous

July 11, 2018

We're learning about police officers in my Criminal Justice class at school. Thank you for your service and all that you have done for the state of Texas.

Andrea

December 8, 2017

Rest in Peace brother. You are a true hero.

"Blue Lives Matter"

Steve Van Slyke, retired K9 Handler
El Cajon Police Department

October 12, 2016

Well Mark we are once again coming up on another anniversary and this time you have company. Mom and Diana. Can't believe they are gone. Can't believe you are gone! I am so sad that society has gone the way it has recently. So many of your Blue brothers and sisters are being ambushed much like you where. I pray that other families don't have go through the things this family has gone through. I miss you very much an think of you often. I love to look at the picture of us Dancing at my wedding. Who would have guessed that was the last time I would get to see you. You Heather and my self had a very unique bond growing up together. More like Brother and sisters than Uncle and niece. We talk about you often. We laugh and we cry, then we laugh again. We miss you and love you so much.

Tina Laumer
Niece

October 7, 2016

Dearest baby brother, Today is a sad day. As your oldest sister, I never expected to see the day come when I would be the last surviving member of our immediate family. But God had other plans, and as I struggle to understand them, want you to know now that Daddy, Momma, Donna and Diana are all reunited in heaven, there will not be a day that passes that I will not think of you and smile knowing you are all at eternal peace now, no pain, no suffering, no hate, only perfect, divine love and happiness.

You and the rest of the Brothers in Blue need to look down and protect those that remain serving in your footsteps, because they do so much for all of us yet seem to be under such attack these days by so many ungrateful for their sacrifices.

Debe
sister

May 15, 2016

Dear Mark, It has been so very long since I have heard your voice, your laughter, seen your smiling face. To know that so many brothers in blue are now under attack as being anything other than those sworn to protect and defend pains us all so much. This world has become so crazy since you left it....please, please, be ready to receive your Aunt Donna as she soon comes to join you, much too young, much too soon. Please give her a huge bear hug from us all that remain below as you and momma and daddy welcome her with open arms upon arrival there in heaven. Please know we will NEVER, EVER forget or allow you to be forgotten.

Debe
sister

May 4, 2015

Mark,
you are missed dearly and now MOM is with you , she was so
looking forward to the day she could see you again.
Rachael has done a good job of raising the kids they are fine up-standing young adults.
we are doing everything in our power to keep Kenneth behind bars .
I miss you so much

Diana Ellis
sister

October 2, 2014

I am honored to have sent a "No parole" letter, so that the cowardly inmate remains locked up and denied the pleasure of living in a world that you made safe for all of us.

Det. (Ret) Billy Russo
Nassau County Police Dept., NY

May 24, 2014

I knew Mark very well from working with him for several years. This was a terrible incident that did not need to happen. He was always trying to help the citizens of Atascosa County and willing to back up any officer needing assistance.

Capt Flo Rackley
DeWitt County Sheriff's Office, Cuero, TX

May 21, 2014

I was honored to send off my 'No Parole' letter today for you, my brother in blue. Thank you for your sacrifice and may you forever, rest in peace. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!

My prayers continue to be with your family, friends and co-workers.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

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

May 20, 2014

Rest in peace brother, you have not been forgotten. Thank you for your service to Atascosa County and to America and for your sacrifice. God bless the family, friends, and co-workers of Deputy Stephenson during this time of pain facing your ordeal all over again. My "NO APPEAL FOR COP KILLERS" letter is being sent today.

Senior Patrolman Donnie Meaders
Wewoka (OK) Police Department

May 19, 2014

Mark we grew up together on Imperial Street even tgough you were younger than me. Then we went to Gateway school and played on the soccor team together. I was in the Army at Ft Bliss when I heard of your passing. I always knew you'd be a Soldier, Marine or Police officer. Rest well friend, and maybe when i pass we can get a good soccor game going.

Don Borden
Friend

December 20, 2013

Brother Mark,

It's been long ago that we worked and played ball together. I remember your sense of humor and huge bear-like demeanor, only to see that it didn't match who you really were inside. (Lo and behold, heaven forgive the guy that challenged or acted out while you were on duty. Cause you always stepped up to the plate during those times with us, running in together as a Team.) We worked at the jail together and played ball together, but we never got to be PO's together.

It was always good times working with you and hanging out with you. God Bless you and just so you know, me, Vince, Johnny, and a few others are still in the game carrying the torch for you.

Until we see each other again Brother,

God Speed and Thanks for having my 6 from up there.

Much Love,

Joey Montez.

Patrolman
SAISD

October 3, 2013

Wow it's been 13 years since you left us! I remember being a little girl at the strawberry festival working the sheriffs possey booth and waiting and hoping "Uncle Mark" would be on duty. It made my night to sit with you and at the end of the night you would give me all of your free tickets and big ole bear hug. Some of my best childhood memories were that. Seeing you in town and you always gave me hugs, what i would give to have a good ole Mark hug again. Miss you and I know you are taking care of everyone up there. Thank you for your service.

Shannan
friend

October 10, 2012

Biggen.. that's how you were known in High School. I am so sorry to have found out about this horrific tragedy! You were my closest friend in Okinawa! Your heart was as big as you! I miss you Brother and will see you one day soon!
Zit

Mark Zittel
High School Brother

November 30, 2011

We served togther for a short time when I was a young and up coming officer. You were there when I urned my stripes as the say in our terms. You were a good friend and adviser. May you gard the gates of heaven as you did here on earth.

Officer Ricardo Renteria
Bexar county

November 28, 2011

Thinking of you today Mark. Its been along time and since that tragic night not a day of my life goes by without thinking of you at least once. You may be gone brother but rest assured that you will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

October 12, 2011

I had the priviledge of photographing the Cuero-Poteet football game on October 22, 2010. While there was a time-out, someone told me of the officer shooting and pointed out Officer Stephenson's son. While he was taking a knee, I took a photo of the young man and was told by one of the side-line chain officials that he was a good football player and a great kid. Sounds like the kind of young American and Texan that anyone would be proud of.........

A Cornell Green
Professional Photographer

October 28, 2010