Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Howie - We think of you often and have your picture displayed on our desk. In the picture you are standing in front of your boat holding up a large Canadian Goose and you have a big smile on your face! Such a proud hunter! We love it as we loved you, your family and our friendship! You have a strong family and there is much love that surrounds them. Be at peace my friend.

The Genest Family
Former Ceres PD Family

March 22, 2009

Howie,
What a shock that morning as I found out.. You were there for me when my son died with your great friendship and strong support. Everyone misses you here but wow, what heaven must be like with you there....You were an awesome person and friend..RIP friend

Jeff Plaster
Past CPD employee/friend

March 19, 2009

You have not been forgotten. Continue to watch over your loved ones as I know they miss you. I'd like to leave a short poem for your loved ones that someone sent me:

"No person is ever truly alone.
Those who live no more,
Whom we loved,
Echo still within our thoughts,
Our words, our hearts.
And what the did,
And who they were,
Becomes a part of all that we are,
Forever."
by: Richard Fife

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

March 7, 2009

I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for all of you help after March 6, 1991. RIP brother!!!!

Jeremy Gatlin
Former Ceres PD

March 7, 2009

Hi Sweetheart,
Love you:) Miss you:( XOXOXO

kathy
wife

March 5, 2009

To the Stevenson Family,
I just watched a rerun on the series "Under Fire" of the incident that claimed your loved one's life. As a dispatcher and with a brother who is also a sergeant, watching an event like that is heartbreaking. My sincere condolences on your loss.

911 Dispatcher

February 28, 2009

Howie, thinking of you and missing you lots!

Shawnna Yotsuya
Ceres PD and friend

February 24, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 20, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! AGAIN!!! our special message didn't go through yesterday
love you and miss you xoxoxo

kathy and Kids

February 19, 2009

Dear Howard:
Remembering you on your 44th birthday, and loving you so much, always, every single day.


A Police Officer’s Prayer

Lord, I ask for Courage
Courage to face and conquer my own fears…
Courage to take me where others will not go.

I ask for strength
Strength of body to protect others, and
Strength of spirit to lead others.

I ask for dedication
Dedication to my job, to do it well
Dedication to my community, to keep it safe.

And please, Lord, through it all,
be at my side.

Comments made about Howard’s character after he was taken from us, as reflected upon by those that knew and loved him:
good husband
caring father
quiet
uncomplaining
strong
loving
solid
reflective
tough
protective
good coach
dependable
team player
patient
gentle simile
unpretentious
sincere
trustworthy
good cook
deliberate
dedicated
good photographer
appreciative of natural beauty
playful
good listener
irreverence for dressing up
able to endure
genuine friend
loved the Ceres community
loved his job
a happy person
well prepared
fearless dancer
loved his brothers, sisters in blue
Spartan
faithful to duties and responsibilities
calming ability
good companion
independent
loved short sleeved shirts regardless of the season
didn’t say bad things about others
said much with few words
a good son
a good father
a good policeman

Missing you now and always. Love you!

Anonymous

February 18, 2009

Happy Birthday !!!
Love you so very very much...We miss you can't wait to see you again!!!

kathy and kids
family

February 18, 2009

Happy Birthday, Howie!

Slattery Family

February 18, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day My One and Only Sweetheart,
we been missing you always of course!!! But you still make us smile when we remember all the wonderful memories we have of you. Not a day goes by that I personally don't think how great it would be to just pick up the phone to run something by you or tell you about something the kids did or just say" I love you" for the trillionth time and you saying " love you more" back. I guess my heart wants what my heart wants. Everyone is doing good and keeping busy. Micky and I are spending the day together doing the girl's day thing. Bryce is taking his girlfriend on an outing. We love you sweetheart xoxoxo

kathy
wife

February 14, 2009

Howie,

I still have nightmares about that day and regret I wasn't there to maybe be the guy who drew his fire and prevented this from happening. You will always be a stellar example of bravery and honor. I will never forget your mentoring and training. I am sorry I wasn't there for you to pay back everything you gave to me and the department.

Former Officer
Ceres PD

January 22, 2009

Just wanted to drop in and tell you that I love you and remember you Howard. As far away as I am, I will never forget... RIP Brother!

Jeremy
Former Ceres PD

January 19, 2009

Hi sweetheart,
well we made it through the 9th, I am so Thankful to be apart of our family and our wonderful PD family as well. Your parents, Carmen, Leroy, Ron R. and Ron C. as well as Danny V. and DJ. plus many others put on a great BBQ. We got a chance to catch up with friends and meet new friends as well. We always stop to remember Our Hero's Sammy, John, and Chris. They put their lives on the line" that night " like all the other BRAVE and selfless officers that were out there as well and are still out there doing" the job" each and everyday! We give Thanks to our Lord, that Sammy is here with us today! May God bless all of us and keep everyone safe and sound! Keeping you close always Love you Soul Mate XoXoXo ps. Bryce and Micky are doing wonderful even though they miss you!!!

kathy
wife

January 15, 2009

Hey Howard.
I have been talking with my kids about all the good times we did have when senior year at Davis, now I have no one else to be in touch in Modesto, and I don’t want all those memories to go away, I will be writing to your family soon. I think I will carry the plans we made to meet again with all the family, I really want to keep in touch. See you great buddy!!

Sergio Faz
High School Buddy

January 15, 2009

4 years. You have touched so many lives. Some, like me, you hardly even knew. I am honored to have crossed your path. Say hello to Bob Panos, Earl Scott and Stephan Gray for me. I am sure you guys are keeping busy showing the new guys all the ropes when they arrive. I post in a few LEO forums online via the internet in honor of you two. I hope that I have not disappointed you in doing so. Someday when this journey is over we shall all meet again and great shall be that day. Until then.

Lawrence Borges
Former Modesto Bee Carrier

January 11, 2009

4 years brother and it still seems like yesterday. We will never forget. We stand strong and tall in your memory.

Anonymous

January 10, 2009

On the 4th anniversary of Sergeant Stevenson's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Sergeant Stevenson is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

January 9, 2009

I miss you more than ever still today. The reason i can still laugh and smile everyday is because i have the peace of knowing where you are! Heaven must be nice. you lucky bozo! Speaking of bozos, i miss bantering with you more than anything. Life just isn't the same without you. Kind of depressing to think about. You taught me so much about life in so little time, i cant thank you enough. You were the best thing in my life and always will be. I may look tough on the outside but i just hate living everyday without you. BUT, on the bright side, we are still trekking through life with smiles and laughter, just like you would have wanted.
Love youu dad..wish i could say it in person.

Mikaela Stevenson
daughter

January 9, 2009

Hey Howie,
I cannot believe its been 4 years already. I keep thinking that at the dinner/dance you will walk in or come up and dance with me all crazy like how we always do. I really miss you.
Love,
Kalani

Kalani Yotsuya
Friend

January 9, 2009

On this day the 4 year anniversay of your EOW we remember a hero. You will never be forgotten.

Mark
WPD (Retired)

January 9, 2009

We miss you Howie.

Jennie Schultz Dispatcher II/CTO
Placer County Sheriffs Dept/Formerly Ceres PD

January 9, 2009

You will never be forgotten. I think about you often.

Detective Jason Coley
Ceres Police

January 9, 2009