Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Driving through Missouri and saw your highway memorial sign. Looked you up on ODMP to read your story. Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten.

G. Anne Birkholz
Mother of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011 Fond du Lac PD

February 28, 2023

Dad,
It’s November 10th, 2022. You won’t believe this, but inevitably I have became my mother, haha. I am sitting in 7th grade English, behind the teacher’s desk. I am starting my Masters soon. I think about you every day. Reading a book to my students, the character lost their parent. I told them the feelings the character went through, knowing them all too well. Memories locked in a vault and never forgotten. Small details and smirks, a pen laying on the maroon red carpet of your blue and white Ford truck, your cowboys cut up hoodie or how you’d answer the phone, “Yellow.” I explained how as time wickedly moves on, the pain becomes normal and life resuming becomes a sting of guilt. I tell two little girls all about you all the time. They look to the sky and see you there. I wish you could toss them in the air or teach them how to cut the rack off a bucks head. I’ll never forget how you flicked the remaining into the leaves. Slightly stomach turning, but a memories still yet. Haha. I miss you terribly. Living in Fredericktown I know you miss the days I’d sit, or sometimes nap beside you in the cemetery. I’m sure your flowers are faded, but I carry you brightly with me every where. Time does not change my heart beating one less on its way to joining you. I thankfully found every inch of happiness on this Earth you’d want me to have. I remember to say what needs said. You teach me still with every thing of you that lingers behind. The leaves have fallen on your favorite season and I pray the bucks are huge in Heaven. Forever missing, loving, and looking for you, Loren

Daughter

November 10, 2022

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

September 30, 2020

Chachi: It was my pleasure and honor to play the bagpipes for you at your gravesite. I have been there many times on the date of your passing and still play the pipes on that day. Your wife picked a great location on the hill overlooking the hill looking east into the morning sun to put your earthly remains. But, of course, you are not there are you. I met you as police academy director and had you pegged from the start, as a good pick. You never could pass by a mirror without looking, could you. Ha. Reading other reflections, I also believe you could take a good joke. Remember playing with a certain someone and 'not thinking' he would actually stab you when you wore your vest? HUM, he missed a bit and actually nailed your arm pit. What a guy you were to take it. A true man to the bone. I am speaking to the wind of course, your soul was meant for eternity, your wife and kids have never forgotten you, I still see YouTube about them. Backstoppers was very good to your family. It has been 18 years now. I have about 200 firefighters and police officers who also remain in my memories that I have played a dirge with the pipes in their memory. Most of the firefighters passed by complications from smoke inhalation (toxins in fires) and police and deputies through the unfortunate vehicle crashes. We will all meet again one day.

Retired: CSI Chemist, Deputy, CJ Dir.
Retired Deputy Sheriff

October 21, 2019

I had the honor of working with him for a few years. He was one of the BEST.

Bel-ridge Police Department St Louis County Missouri. We offer our prayers to the family.
LT W. Martin

May 20, 2019

Steve and I were in the Naval Reserve together talking about what was sure to be an upcoming recall/deployment and 2 weeks later...

Life is short, reach out to your friends, love your spouses, be kind to someone today.

Steve was a good friend and shipmate.

BT2 Robert Palleja
Shipmate

April 6, 2018

Driving down Missouri Hwy 67 ( my son's badge number) on way to C.O.P.S. Parent retreat and saw your sign designated as the Deputy Ziegler Memorial Highway. Had to look up your story. Thank you for your nine years of dedicated service.

G. Birkholz
Mother of Officer Craig Birkholz EOW 3/20/2011

October 26, 2017

Worked with this great man in the late 90's. Miss his jokes and his laugh, it was contagious.

Sgt William Martin
Bel-ridge Police Department

October 13, 2017

While I am far from home I was looking and reflecting on several of my friends that have left way too soon. Friend, High School rival, LEO Brother. Miss you!

Criminal Investigator Tommy Ferguson
USMC CID / Old Friend

January 12, 2017

ChaChi... we miss ya.. :)

Dispatcher
Kal

June 6, 2013

Your memory and smile are as fresh in my mind today as they were 11 years ago. I love you and miss you dearly dad. Never forgotten.

Patrolman E.Ziegler DSN 211
Crystal City Police Department Missouri

December 16, 2012

Steve, I was just on here looking and reflecting all that has happened since you passed, and how I remember the last time we talked. I would visit your resting place occasionaly, and now more often. Last year at this time we lost my dad in an accident and he is resting close to you. Man I miss you guys. Just recently I seen your son, he looks just like you and he reminds me of you. He's a great officer you would be so proud buddy.

Patrolman Jerry Hicks Jr.
Leadwood Police Dept.

December 9, 2012

Today marks 10 years since you went home, only a day following the crash, the crash that left us all in shock.

I remember meeting up nearly every Saturday morning at McDonalds for breakfast with the day shift crew. However this morning the normal crew were either on calls for service, or like myself assisting night shift officer with a case. This left nobody to meet you at our normal day shift breakfast.

As I later learned no one else showed up, so you had grabbed your breakfast to go and was headed back to the office, when the unthinkable happened.

I know we can not change when it's our time, however I can't help but think "What If" the rest of us officers wasn't on calls, we would have been at breakfast with you at 08:01 AM.

Gone But Never Forgotten, Thank You Steve Ziegler for your service to our Country and our Community! May God Bless your family!

Boyd #329

Officer Dennis Boyd Badge #329
Herculaneum Police Department

September 30, 2011

Steve, I sit here at work watching the clock as the minutes tick closer to 8 am, 10 years to the day of your accident. I think about you everyday and what a great person and officer you had become. Even though you weren't officially my son-in-law anymore, I still held you in a place that was even closer than that, you were like my own son. Can still hear your voice and your funny laugh in my head and thru your son, Eric(sounds just like you). You would be proud of him, he's following in your footsteps now. You would be so proud of all 4 of your kids, Madison, Cole , Loren. Miss you, buddy, but I will expect you to be there to greet me when I reach heaven. Luv ya, Connie

mother-in-law
st. francois county

September 29, 2011

1975- Our parents yelling from the other room "Turn That Down!" as we bounced around to "I, want to rock and roll all night..." My ears were ringing the next day.
1980- Our parents yelling from the other room "Turn that down!!" "I want my MTV..." Man, we were yelled at alot.
1982- We snuck out of the house at 2am. What a brite idea! A neighbor saw us climb to the window of a friends house and called the cops. They thought we were braking in. 6 police cars and a helicopter. Some how we made it home, scared but safe.
1983- New Years Eve. THAT was a party. I still remember the girl you set me up with, and my mom catching her and i in the bathroom together. You gave the lamest excuse for us being in there.
2001- Memories. . .

Love you and miss you cuz

Hey, when you see my brother, hug him for me.

Cousin Denny

May 12, 2011

Well Dad, the big day will be here in 46 days! (I'm counting down as most anxious brides do) I knew the day would come when I would have to face this a mile stone without you by my side. Although, there hasn't been a day you've not been on my mind, I believe June 11th will be the toughest yet. I know you would never approve of anyone to take my hand, I believe he would come the closest to winning your approval. I'm not nervous at all, I think mom is enough for the both of us! I know I'm making the right decision. The hardest part is letting go of the last name that reminds me of you every time I write it. I was writing invitations tonight and love how it says "Steven Ziegler and Linda Black request your presence to honor their daughters marriage." Acknowledging is knowing, so I act like nothing ever happened and pretend you'll be there. It's times like these when the loss of someone you love becomes so much more than loss, words can't discribe. So often I find myself day dreaming of you being here simple things like being able to call out "dad" stings pain through my heart. I miss you so much and wish more than anything you could walk me down the isle. I'm playing some songs you and mom played at your wedding and you even get your own song before I walk down the isle. Needless to say Ill be a wreck wishing you were there, but this Easter day reminds me God gave his son so we will get to walk hand in hand down the streets of heaven for eternity.

ps. Ill leave a ticket for you incase you want to come to my graduation from college May 7th.

Loren Ziegler
Daughter

April 25, 2011

" IN VALOR THERE IS HOPE."

dpt

October 13, 2010

Steve it does not seem like it has been this long. I just wanted to stop in and tel you "happy fathers day". Kenny got his 100th feature win last year and you prolly had the best seat ever! You are missed everyday and i know my dad thinks about you alot


Jessica Bayless

Anonymous

June 20, 2009

I am sitting in my apartment in college but it still feels like I am 9. I rememeber everything about that day, I can still hear the phone ringing from the call.. You know everyone said time has a way of healing wounds but I think they ment ones on the outside because everyday gets harder. Words cant explain how much I miss you, though what I could rememeber is fading I still see you everytime I look in the mirror. I see your crooked smile, your brown eyes, and the same nose.. sometimes if I look really fast I see you in a crowd, makes me think maybe you really are on that hunting trip. Ill never forget the day of my 1st grade teddy bear pinic I forgot my lunch and you rushed me a hole cooler full; the day you talked to my class about D.A.R.E all the kids said I had the coolest dad and I did, I had the coolest dad in the entire world.

Anonymous

March 16, 2009

Steve,
It has taken me this long to post on here for many reasons. I have visited this site numerous times. You are constantly on my mind. It has been 7 1/2 years since you left, and you are as much alive today as you were before the accident. You are the exception, the ones who are always remembered, and never forgotten. Anytime you bring the name ChaChi up, you'd be suprised at how many people's next response is, "that man was my best friend!". To live a life and touch so many others is truely remarkable. I've searched ever day for the last 7 years to find another person like you, someone who has the personality, smile, and sense of humor that you did. And the truth is, is that I can not find one person that is like you at all! You are truely 1 in a million. You lived the life that people make movies based on. You were true living hero. You have touched more lives than you could ever imagine. Sorry it took me so long to say these true words about you. Stay in my mind, my dreams, and my heart! Bye ChaChi

n/a

February 13, 2009

Steve,
I often think about you and always wish you were here. The kids are all growing up so fast since you left. Holidays are not the same as when we used to stay up all night on Christmas eve playing nintendo, then get in trouble for it. I know you are enjoying the scenes of Heaven with loved ones gone and that someday we will meet again, in that land where there is no parting, no tears nor sorrow.I just wanted to let you know you will never be forgotten. You was like a son to me and your memory lives on. Our loss is heaven's gain.

Randy Black
Special Friend

January 15, 2009

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. There are no magic words to offer to help them with their grief except to take one day at a time and know that you are watching over them.
This short poem is for your son and all of your loved ones:

Those who we love and lose
Are no longer where they were before,
They are now wherever we are.

(Author Unknown)

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 30, 2008

D. S. Ziegler served proudly and was deeply loved and respected by those whoknew him. It is a tragedy to lose him. We never know when our lives on this earth will end, but we can make a reservation in Heaven now and assure us a place when God calls us to Himself. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and He PAID the price for our sins on the Cross so we don't have to pay the penalty for our sins. Yipee! If we accept His payment by faith we can have salvation and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. It is not something we must earn, it is a gift. The most precious one we can ever receive. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith_and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God_not by good deeds, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2: 8,9. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. And our faith must be in God's only Son, Jesus Christ.
You were a credit to the uniform, D.S. Ziegler. My heart goes out to your
loved ones left behind and may the Lord comfort them as only He can do.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

September 30, 2008

To Deputy Steve Ziegler (ChaChi) and his loved ones:

Please know your memory is honored and revered today on the seventh anniversary of your tragic death.

This world, this country, your community truly are better placyes because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise. Rest in Peace, Deputy Ziegler.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Steve gave to his community and the citizens of Missouri, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 30, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

September 29, 2008

Eric - went through the academy with your dad. Though we did not know each other to begin with we became good friends in a time that was so much fun but also so much work. I will think of Steve each time I put on my badge.

a fellow officer
MSFM -NMCSO

September 26, 2008