Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Phillips for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

March 20, 2004

My family would like to send our sympathy to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of P.O. Steven Phillips. May God give you the strength to go on and watch over everyone in law enforcement.
(Aunt of Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig EOW 2/16/04)

Gail M Pabst

March 19, 2004

Although we never had a chance to meet, we shared a common goal.
To make the world a better place, but now it's taken a toll.
Now I say to you in words of a prayer, I will remember what you've done.
Your death was the ultimate in sacrifice, how tragic that you're gone.
One day we'll meet and talk about our common goal and then,
The heartache that I 'm feeling now, will no longer have to mend.

The Men and Women of the Green Bay Polic
Green Bay P.D. Green Bay WI

March 12, 2004

Rest in peace brother....you will always be remembered...we will continue to take care of Sandy and help her press on.

Anonymous

March 1, 2004

On behalf of the Blue Knights M.C. Michigan-X, we send our condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Phillips. Rest in Peace Brother! Thank you for your service. We will have you in our hearts and minds forever.

Rick
Blue Knights M.C.- Michigan-X

February 20, 2004

As I sit here writing this reflection, I have a heavy heart and a full understanding of the grief and loss that the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Phillips are experiencing at this time. Our son, CHP Officer Shannon L Distel was killed in a line of duty motorcycle accident on 8/27/03 and our lives changed forever on that fateful day. I wish that there was something that I could say to ease your pain but I know that nothing helps right now. Please remember that our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the future.

I did not know Officer Phillips personally but wanted to extend my sympathy to his family and to let them know that we thank him for having the courage, bravery and dedication to do a job that only a few can do. A true hero was lost on earth as heaven gained another angel. God bless you and your family. Gone But Not Forgotten

Cindy Distel
Mother of CHP Officer Shannon L Distel EOW 8/27/03

February 16, 2004

Sir, we now know that you are in a much better place, away from the pain and suffering here on Earth. May you walk the streets of high above wearing your new badge with pride and valor because you are a true hero among us. And to Mr. Phillips' friends and family I ask that you please remember that you are still a part of OUR family and we are with you always. Our deepest thoughts from all of us here at the Osage County, KS Sheriff's Office.

Your Brothers and Sisters
Osage County, Kansas Sheriff's Office

February 15, 2004

We are truly saddened at Steve's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

February 15, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Steven did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Steven be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Phillips' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Steven is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Steven was well respected and well loved.

Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Deputy Sheriff Dennis McElderry's fiancee - EOW (01/01/03)

February 15, 2004

Steve, although we never met. I feel like I have lost a friend. Maybe it's because we are police officers or maybe it's because we are motorcycle officers. Whatever the reason, your family, your family at the Westminster Police Department and your family in law enforcement, will miss you! Rest in peace my brother in blue.

Police Officer II Don Cone
San Diego Police Department

February 11, 2004

I'll miss you Steve. You and I worked the same shift almost the entire 13 months we were activated after 9/11. Doing my reserve time at Vandenberg just won't be the same without you around. God bless...

Ofc. Paul Lemay
Glendale Ca. PD

February 7, 2004

Reading of Officer Steven Phillips untimely death, brings back
sad memories of fellow workmates in similar circumstances.
But his memory will live on in all of those that still serve & protect. May you rest in peace Steven. Gods speed.

Sgt Paul WINFIELD
New South Wales Police Dept, Australia.

February 6, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

February 6, 2004

It was an honor to have worked with you Steve, God Bless...

Officer Brian Emerson
Westminster Police Department

February 6, 2004

Thank you Officer Phillips for your brave service. My heart goes out to your family.

Lori Brown
Aunt of Deputy Renee Azure EOW 8/06/02

February 5, 2004

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Officer Phillips and to all the personnel of the Westminster Police Department who worked with him.

While it is no consolation for your loss, remember that we, and many others in this country, appreciate the sacrifice that he made in ensuring our safety.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

February 5, 2004

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Officer Phillips and to all of the officers who served with him.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has earned his place in heaven. Rest in peace my friend, those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin, blue line.

Anonymous

February 5, 2004

I am sorry to hear about the death of Officer Phillips. I lost my brother-in-law, CHP Officer Shannon Distel, 5 months ago. He was killed while riding his motorcycle and doing the job he loved also. I did not know Officer Phillips personally but want to send my prayers and thoughts to his family.
God Bless You!
Cindy

Cindy McCullah

February 5, 2004

I was born and raised in Westminster and very distinctly remember Officer Phillips. I recall him proudly displaying an American flag throughout his career on the back of his motor unit, it was how I distinguished him from other officers. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends, and his comrades at Westminster P.D. God Bless.

SGT Hickman
White Sands Missile Range, NM

SGT Brandi Hickman
U.S. Army Military Police

February 5, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of officer Phillips and the Westminster Police Department.

Dear Brother in Blue, may you walk that beat on heaven's street until we come and walk it with you. Sit next to each rookie and keep them safe and may your memory sharpen their senses and keep them on their toes. God Speed my Brother.

Deputy Sherrif
Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Augusta Georgia

February 5, 2004

Rest in Peace. God Bless your family and fellow officers.

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept

February 4, 2004

My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Phillips. May the memories you have of him in happier times help to ease the pain you're feeling now.
Rest easy, Brother, you will never be forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.l

February 4, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

February 3, 2004

Officer Phillips you will be dearly missed. It was a pleasure to serve beside you while in the Air Force reservers at Vandenberg AFB.

Deputy Calahan
Santa Barbara County Sheriffs

February 3, 2004

I saw the Heavens open up.
The Earth shook with fear.
For Evil..knew of God's Army.
They were Heroes, men on steel horses.

Thunder Rolls...

Sgt. James J Crawford
Lower providence Twp Motor Unit, Montg CO PA

February 3, 2004