Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This is the second time in 3 days I have written a reflection. It seems as though the Law Enforcement community has been rocked these past days. To you Sgt. Stevenson, I pray that your wife and children receive comfort in knowing that you were a warrior who fought everyday to keep the streets safe. We are the first and last line of defense for our communities. You fought the good fight Sarge. You finished your race, now it's time to enter into your eternal rest with Christ. To my fellow Officers who read this, take nothing for granted, leave nothing unsaid, if it needs to be said say it. Leave nothing undone. If it needs done do it. After you have put on your uniform, you duty belt and your about to leave for duty, STOP, turn around and tell your wife and your children you love them and say a quick prayer, LET THERE BE NO REGRETS. Sgt. Stevenson, God Bless you.

Sgt. David Williamson
London Oh Police Dept

January 12, 2005

Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

January 12, 2005

I just learned of this website when an academy classmate of mine, Officer Bryan S. Hurst, was killed on 1/06/2005. I would just like to send my heart felt condolences to Sgt. Stevenson's family, friends and fellow officers. We literally feel your pain. Sgt. Stevenson died a hero. We will see you again at the final roll call. Until then rest easy. God Bless You.

Officer Jody Grube
Columbus, Ohio Police Department

January 12, 2005

GOD SPEED SARGE, AND SAVE A SPACE IN THE GOOD LORDS HEAVEN FOR ME! 10-7, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN! -BHPD

PATROL OFFICER SAL ONOFRE
BHPD

January 12, 2005

Sincere condolences to the family of Sgt. Stevenson and to all the members of the Ceres Police Department.

Detective
Neptune PD, NJ

January 12, 2005

To the family and friends of Sgt Stevenson my condolences for your loss! He made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could live. Its a job that we in LE know has its ups and downs and all we try and do is our best so that we can go home to our families. I'm sorry again

Federal Police Officer Robert Jackson
US Dept of Veterans Affairs

January 12, 2005

R.I.P BROTHER. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.

POLICE OFFICER RENE SANCHEZ
BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, BOSTON MA.

January 12, 2005

Sgt. Stevenson, On behalf of the Men and Women of the Broward County Multi-Agency Honor Guard, You will long be forgotten.....Job well done, you made us all proud. Rest In Peace our Brother.

Broward County Florida Multi-Agency Police Honor Guard

January 12, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Stevenson Ceres's family and department. Sounds like Sgt. passed away taking care of his people. Your pain is felt across the nation. Sorry for your loss.

Maine State Police

Trooper Brian P. Scott
Maine State Police

January 12, 2005

Sergeant Stevenson you are a real American Hero!! You made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of other's. May God Bless you and your family!

Patrol Officer Chris J. Rohner
Licking Memorial Hospital Police Dept. Newark,OH

January 12, 2005

Know that my word of sorrow will never be enough for your family, but please accept the thank you my brother for standing your watch and the line drawn in the sand......Godspeed

S.D.Amiott Officer
Calvin Police Dept. OK

January 12, 2005

To the family, friends and co-workers of Sgt. Stevenson, you will be in our hearts and prayers. This fine Officer died a true Hero and showed great courage in the face of danger. We all regret seeing new names added to this site ,but its good to know that we still have wonderful and caring people left in this world, all the reflections prove that...

CPL.David Hazlett
Berry Hill P.D./Nashville,TN.

January 12, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Sergeant Stevenson. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Park Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

January 12, 2005

Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Sergeant Stevenson and to all the personnel of the Ceres 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 his effort to ensure the safety of the public.

God bless.

Southwest Central Dispatch
Palos Heights, IL

January 12, 2005

To Sgt. Stevenson's family, friends, and coworkers....another hero is lost and was taken from us at such a young age. Just to here officer down sent chills through my spine just like last April when Ofc. Isaac Espinoza was taken from us the same way. You are in our thoughts and prayers as well as Ofc. Ryno's family. May god give all of you the strength to get through this and remember what dedication and strength these men had to lay their lives on the line for the citizens of Ceres.

SFPD Dispatch

January 12, 2005

We send our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Sgt. Howard Stevenson. In a world where true evil is allowed to walk among us, there will always be the heroes sent from God to defeat it. Sergeant Stevenson, you are a hero.

Sergeant Ryan Newell
Southborough Police Department

January 12, 2005

Officer Bryan Hurst's funeral was today and it was witness to an outpouring of love and support from across our state. Over 3,500 people attended, the capacity of the church. I can only wish the same blessing and honor to you, Sgt. Stevenson. Your spirit of bravery shines even brighter against the cowardice it took to harm you.
May God bless your family abundantly.

Mike
Columbus, OH resident

January 12, 2005

My prayers are with the Stevenson Family, May you feel the comfort of God's arms around you, May you experience the Peace that Passes Understanding. We are a huge Family of Blue and we hold each other up always.

Pat Carruth
Mom of Officer Jeremy "Jay" Carruth
EOW 2/20/03

Mom of An Officer Down

January 12, 2005

A PIECE OF AMERICA DIED
Somebody killed a Policeman today
and a piece of America died
A piece of our country he swore to protect
will be buried with him... at his side
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court
with counsel demanding his rights
while a young widowed mother must work for her kids
and spend many long, lonely nights
The beat that he walked was a battlefield too
just as if he had gone off to war
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half staff
to his name they will add a gold star
Yes, somebody killed a Policeman today
It happened in your town or mine
While we slept in comfort, behind our locked doors
a Cop laid his life on the line
Now his ghost walks the beat on a dark city street
and he stands at each new rookie's side
He answered the call, and gave us his all
and a piece of America died
Author Unknown

God bless you Sgt Stevenson

January 12, 2005

Thank you for doing a job that so few are capable of doing. You are very much appreciated.

Marion, Ohio

January 11, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer David Carroll
Choctaw Oklahoma

January 11, 2005

Rest in peace my brother.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD NJ

January 11, 2005

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

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Sergeant Stevenson'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 Howard 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 Howard was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Sergeant Stevenson 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)

January 11, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Sgt Stevenson and the members of the Ceres Police Department. God Bless you

A. Scott Police Officer
San Diego Police Department

January 11, 2005

To the Stevenson family and all members of the Ceres Police Department.

Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this tragic time, may the blue line remain strong!

Detective Robert T. Johnson
Worcester Police Department, Worcester Mass.

January 11, 2005