Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Carroll,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 23, 2024

Rest in peace Correctional Officer Carroll.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 15, 2021

Thank you for your service

Mark Mottola

April 23, 2020

I knew Steve from my visits to the courthouse and corrections facility. He always wore a smile and willing to help above and beyond. RIP brother.

Marty Zamudio (Ret. Lt.)
ISP Retired

April 23, 2019

Officer Carroll's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 12-16-17 to remember and honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
Richton Park Police

December 16, 2017

Officer Carroll,
On today, the 9th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served in the USN during the Vietnam War. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 23, 2013

Rest in Peace, Correctional Officer Carroll. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 29, 2013

Officer Carroll, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

September 17, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the fifth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was 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.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

April 23, 2009

"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

January 8, 2008

To Correctional Officer Steven P. Carroll, his loved ones and his fellow officers:

On this the second anniversary week of your tragic death, please know that your memory is revered and honored today.

May your family continue be to comforted by the warm embrace of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors who share this painful journey with them. My heart is with your family and I look forward to meeting them someday.

Reading all the loving reflections left by those who cared for you gives us an understanding of what a good and honorable man you were and of the high esteem with which you are held.

You are one of the rare heroes among us. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places 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, Officer Carroll. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Officer Carroll gave to his community and the citizens of Illinois, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 23, 2004.

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

April 25, 2006

It is the 2nd anniversary of your passing and I know the tears still flow from the eyes of those that love you so much. Their heats are broken forever but they will carry on to keep your memory alive. Thank you for your dedicated service, you will never be forgotten. Wrap your wings around your loved ones and protect them.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon

April 15, 2006

God Bless you Steve you were a good friend and a happy face at the courthouse. It was always nice to know that you would be there to make us laugh you are missed very much.

November 4, 2005

To the family and friends of Correctional Officer Steve Carroll and his fellow officers, and most especially to CO Carroll:


On behalf of our entire family, we extend our sincerest condolences for the grievous loss you suffered when CO Carroll tragically died in the line of duty.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the many years of service he gave to his community as a correctional officer, and to his country through his military service in Vietnam, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 23, 2004.

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

November 1, 2005

A true hero for sure, thank you sir

April 23, 2005

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Correctional Officer Carroll's 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 Steve 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 Steve was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Correctional Officer Carroll 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)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

September 5, 2004

You served your country in so many ways. We can never thank you enough. Now rest in peace brother.

SSG Willial Hudspeth
FT Sill Military Police

July 18, 2004

Rest in Peace Brother. You gave your all and we thank you for your dedication and faithfulness to duty. Rest in the knowledge that your loved ones are not alone. We are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

July 17, 2004

To Correctional Officer Carroll family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

July 16, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 16, 2004

My family would like to extend our sympathy to the family, friends, & co-workers of Correctional Officer Steven Carroll...you're in our thoughts & prayers.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

July 15, 2004

You did and outstanding job. The general public is completely unaware of the dangers we as correctional officers face everyday. I pray that your family may find comfort in knowing you have gone to a far better place. And you will no longer have to look over your shoulder constantly.Godspeed Braother

(ret.) Correctional Corporal
Franklin Co. Regional Jail

July 15, 2004

You died a hero sir. We thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. Rest in peace sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

July 15, 2004

Rest in peace Officer Carroll. You will never be forgotten.

Ashley Drury
Clare, Michigan

July 14, 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

July 14, 2004