California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Reflections for Officer Thomas Joel Steiner
I'd like to send my most heartfelt condolences to the family of Officer Steiner and to the entire CHP family. We at LASD know all too well how it feels to lose a Brother. On behalf of everyone at Century Station, and all of LASD, rest in peace Brother, and thank you for your service and sacrifice. We'll take it from here...
Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept, Century Station
April 22, 2004
I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).
Unfortunately, I had to add the name of another friend. Deputy Jeffrey Hewitt, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department, E.O.W. April 4, 2004.
I am saddened to see another name has been added to this list today. You were too young to have to leave this earth.
We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.
These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.
...Gone, but never Forgotten....
Marti Ingle (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)
April 22, 2004
Yet, ANOTHER DARK DAY for all Law Enforcement; To the family and friends of Officer Steiner, and to the CHP members, may God bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow. America lost another hero today; you are now 10-42 go walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell, you are a blue angel, R.I.P. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed Brother.
Diane Dodge
Polk County Sheriff's Office, Bartow, FL
April 22, 2004
TO: The family;loved ones;friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER:-- O, gentle Lord! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical, and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work,endeavoring to keep among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties.Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think that no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence.Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those that serve you well.AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE*** Sent to you by the father of First Class Officer J.D.Koeppen, Capital City,Raleigh NC and Trooper D.C.Koeppen,NJ State Police.
Chief (retired) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey
April 22, 2004
Freedom is not free. However, you used your freedom to serve others. Reast in Peace Brother, will take it from here.
Officer A. Garcia
LAPD
April 22, 2004
My sincere condolence to the Steiner family and members of the California Highway Patrol. Officer Steiner you are remembered Brother.
Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police
April 22, 2004
When the Lord was creating Police 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 Police Officers 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 his uniform.
"He has 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.
"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has 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 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?" "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this 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 a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the Police Officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He 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 police 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, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber and stated. "I didn't put it there," he said.
Gods speed Officer Steiner . God Bless your family, Friends and fellow Officers during this tough time. You will not be forgotten. And we will either bring your murderer to justice or justice to him!
Officer Redican
LAPD/ Pacific Div
April 22, 2004
I want to express my deepest sympathy to the Steiner family and the officers of the California Highway Patrol over the tragic loss of Officer Thomas Steiner. Once again a coward has taken the life of another brother from the thin blue line. God bless the Steiner family and the officers of the California Highway Patrol during this sad time. Our brother Thomas will now patrol the streets of Heaven with St. Michael and his angels. May our brother Thomas rest in peace. Never forget the fallen hero!
Ofcr. Dan Winger
LBCCPD, Ret.
April 22, 2004
Steiner Family and CHP family,
I'm so sorry for your lose. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Kelly Van Krevelen
surviving sister of Trooper Chris Van Krevelen
J952 E.O.W. 11/28/02
Kelly Van Krevelen
Communications Divison, EPD, Enid Oklahoma
April 22, 2004
I was returning from the funeral of another fallen California officer yesterday, when I heard the news of this shooting from a friend on the CHP. I was in shock to say the least. The month of April has been rough on those of us in Law Enforcement in California.
To the family of officer Steiner, and the officers of the California Highway Patrol from all of us at Camp Parks Police you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here.
CPL Chad Watson
Camp Parks Police Dept
April 22, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Officer Stiener.
Sgt. Chris Culler
Sarpy County Sheriff's Office-Nebraska
April 22, 2004
AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO TODAY, YES A BROTHER IN BLUE WAS CUT DOWN IN HIS PRIME, THE KILLER STILL AT LARGE, BUT I KNOW THAT HIS OTHER BROTHERS WILL FIND THE KILLER AND HE WILL PAY. OFFICER STEINER GO PATROL THE STREETS OF HEAVEN BROTHER, YOUR WORK HERE IS DONE. TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS PLEASE PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD HE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU
Sgt. W. M. Riley
Aragon GA Police Dept
April 22, 2004
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Officer Steiner. God bless you with His grace, peace and love. May our Lord give you the strength you all need to go on.
Justice will be served
Michael
Police Officer
National City California
April 22, 2004
The men and women of the Illinois State Police wish to extend our condolences to the family of Officer Steiner and to the California Highway Patrol.
Illinois State Police
Illinios State Police
April 22, 2004
Cowards are running loose...but justice will prevail.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I an the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumns rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds circled in flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
I hope they find the individual that did this, however, final justice will happen when we all go home to meet at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. To his family, friends, and fellow officers, have peace in your heart that he is your Guardian Angel, looking after you every day.
KY Peace Officer
Isaiah 40:31
April 22, 2004
What a cowardly act. My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Steiner, and family and the men and women of the CHP. God Bless you brother
Officer S. Sparks
Chesterfield County Police Department, VA
April 22, 2004
My heart sank again today, opening the site and seeing the number had gone up. May God Bless Officer Steiner, his family and the CHP.
L.E.O. Wife
April 22, 2004
Another tragic loss to our law enforcement family. Our hearts go out to the family of Officer Steiner. You will never be forgotten by you police family.
Anonymous
April 22, 2004
BLOOD UPON THE SHIELD
Confrontation in an alley. The Centurion does not yield.
But this time the good guy loses;
there is blood upon the shield.
And the mournful sounds of bagpipes
play out across the land,
drowned out by the sobs of a lonely young wife
and a child too young to understand.
While the killer pleads his case in court,
the thin blue line is one man short.
And we're one step closer to society's fall;
another cops's name is engraved on the wall.
Another state funeral, with an army in blue,
and we know it could've been me and it
could've been you.
We all look ahead to what the future has in store,
front line troopers in a country that's at war.
At war with itself and at war with its cops and we're out
there every day 'cause the battle never stops.
It's not the way it is on TV shows or like
we learned in school; no cool music in the background,
no playing by the "rules".
We're disillusioned warriors,
but for right we'll always strive.
We just pray that at the end of our stress-filled day
we'll get back home alive.
You stand out on the corner
ignoring the insults and the stares,
close to the point of believing that no one really cares,
when a six year-old boy walks over after watching
you for awhile, reaching out to shake your hand,
on his face a friendly smile. To him you are a hero,
a protector of our land, and he wants
to learn about you,
as a cop and a man.
And when he asks you why your badge is covered
by a black elastic band,
tell him about our Brother--
A cop who made a stand.
By: Randolph Liebec
Anonymous
April 22, 2004
May God be with your family. We will take over the watch now
Rest in Peace brother
Commander Dennis P. Hogan
Kinston Police Department
April 22, 2004
To Officer Thomas Steiner's family and co-workers,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. In a world gone crazy Officer Steiner is one of the good guys making the world a better place for us. During this time GOD will carry you through and give you the peace you need. In the days to come this site will also help you to get through the long days, it will allow you to read all the wonderful thoughts people shared about the Brother in Blue that was taken much to soon.
Rest in Peace Officer Steiner your job here on earth is done.
And thank you for protecting us all.
Christy Quarles-Jacobs
Cousin of Scott Quarles Deputy Laurens County SC EOW 6/11/03
April 22, 2004
Rest in peace brother. May God give your family and fellow officers strength during this trying time.
Deputy J.C. Soesbee 734
Buncombe County, NC Office of the Sheriff
April 22, 2004
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn's rain
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush of
quiet birds in cricled flight
I am the stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
-Unknown
Now that you march with the Army of St. Michael, your watch here is over. Rest well.
NE Ga Medical Center, Security Services
April 22, 2004
God bless the blue angels.
Those willing to go, everyday into the valley of the shadow.
and those who now find peaceful shelter on the other side.
You are forever in our hearts and prayers.
ACooper
Emt
April 22, 2004
The CHP will always be with you. God Bless.
Anonymous
April 22, 2004
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