Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Niles Police Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Officer Zourkas deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Officer Zourkas is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. You, your family and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Tom Doyle
Cary Police Department, North Carolina

June 15, 2006

Steve-
Still miss you more than you will ever know. I love you and miss you so much. Love, Sandi

Sandi Licke, friend

June 12, 2006

Steve,
Just arrived back in Las Vegas this morning. Was in Europe for the past three weeks. You were with me the whole time. I still think about the memories of when you and George came to Vegas. It was my vow to stop everytime I land in Chicago to visit your family and you. However, this time I had only a few hours to visit. I didn't get a chance to see you, but I did get a chance to see your loving mother and wonderful brother George, as well as your caring father. When I was in Chicago in February, I visited with your father but your mother and brother were out visiting you. Your family has always welcomed me with open arms, which is very special and emotional to me. I visited your tree at Golf Elementary, and then had to get to the airport. If I had known I would have had a five our delay, I would have spent it to you telling you about all the geat things about my family's trip. Ohare said they had report of one inch hail. Sorry if I am babbling on, but when it came to a conversation, neither of us could ever stop talking. Funny how somethings don't change. Just talking with your mom and telling her the two stories of how when you first bought your white Beretta GTZ. You were so proud of it...(even though you didn't know how to drive stick). You, me, and my brother were in the backyard and my mom opened the window and yelled "Steven, your car is is the middle of the street!" I think you were running to your car before she was done with the sentance. (forgot to put parking brake on). The other, growing up, if I pulled way from the house at a speed higher than idle, pops would put a boot in my butt when I came home. But he LOVED when you pulled out of the driveway in you brown cutlass with the V8. Naturally you left your marks and smoke on Harlem. It brought smiles to my dads face (and mine). That goes to show you how happy my parents were to see you stop by whenever you wanted. Sorry I missed stopping by this time, never again.

To Mr. & Mrs. Zourkas, George, and family.
Thank you for all the articles, memorabilia, hats, shirts, buttons, contacts, and most of all always opeining the door to my unscheduled visits. You have always treated myself and my brother Andre as one of your own. See you in a couple of months, and George, see you and Steve in Vegas here real shortly.

Love always
Brian Pfundt

Brian M. Pfundt
Life long friend

May 31, 2006

Hard to believe it has been just over a year. You were always my friend, through thick and thin since the 1st grade.

Love,

Adam

Adam Benarroch
Childhood Friend

May 19, 2006

Steve, see you in D.C. next week. We miss you.

Sergeant
Niles PD

May 5, 2006

We will be in Washington with honor and respect to hear your name read.

Linda Rittenhouse, Matt's Mom
Matthew Rittenhouse EOW 9/16/04

Linda Rittenhouse

May 4, 2006

I handled an accident at Golf and Western recently. As I stood there and looked at the street, I remembered that tragic night and wondered, wondered how precious this life is and how quickly it is lost. I thought about your family and how that tragic night has affected their lives. You will not be forgotten Brother!

Police Officer
Cook County Sheriff's Police

May 1, 2006

Steven,
Happy Easter in Heaven. We Love and Miss you. We think of you all the time.God Bless you and keep watching over all of us.
All Our Love,
Mom, Dad & George

MOM, DAD & GEORGE

April 16, 2006

The last few days have been hard. Just remembering that terrible day. Our hearts are still broken. Steve, you meant so much to us. We are so grateful for the times we had together, even though it was way too short. Thank you for everything. You were always there for us. And we know you still are, just in a different way. We love you and miss you so much. We will continue to pray for Ivy and the kids and your family and also your police family.

Barb & Larry
friend

April 10, 2006

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
My the sun shine warm upon your face.
And the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again.
May God hold you in the plam of his hand.

R.I.P.

Sarah Ann Stopka

April 9, 2006

Steve
I cant believe its been a year already I still miss you so much buddy. Keep watching over us like I know you are.

Friend
SPD

April 8, 2006

Today is the first year anniversary...can't belived....It seems like yesterday..Steve..i went by the "plece" and i light up the candle....God bless you Steve. You won't be forgotten. Miss u

Off.E.Brynkus
Chicago P.D

April 8, 2006

It's been one year today since you were taken from us. The last time we spoke, I saw you in the parking lot of the PD in passing for a few short minutes which, at the time, seemed adequate enough until we met again. Now I realize how precious those few moments were. You have left an impression at the Niles Police Department that will never be forgotten. We will continue to celebrate your life as long as we are here. Rest in peace Steve, keep us safe on the streets, and help us to follow in your foot steps and be the best that we can be.

Detective Tom Fragassi
Niles PD

April 8, 2006

Steve,

There his a huge hole in this place, without you..... Brother.

Det.
Niles P.D.

April 8, 2006

Steven Michael Zourkas
April 8,2005
In Loving Memory Of Our Son & Brother
Steven, it's your 1st Anniversary in
Heaven. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, we would walk right up to Heaven and bring you Home again. We Love and Miss You. Our Hearts are broken without you. God took you away from us too soon. You are a Hero.
We Love You Steven, You Are In Our Hearts Forever.
All Our Love Mom, Dad & George

MOM, DAD & GEORGE

April 7, 2006

As the first anniversary of your tragic death approaches, please know that your dedication and sacrifice have not been forgotten, you will always be remembered as a hero.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

April 7, 2006

It will be the first anniversary of you being called away from duty. I know the many tears that have been shed by your loved ones and close friends. The only advice I can give them is to keep your memory alive and always remember that you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Keep watch over your loved ones and wrap your wings around them to help ease their broken hearts.

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

Bob Gordon

April 6, 2006

I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for everything you have done to help make the communtiy in which you worked a better place. I will keep your family and department in my thoughts as the one year anniversary of your death approaches. I know you are watching over your family and loved ones daily. You are a true hero. Thank you!

Tracie
Friend of Officer Sloan EOW 1/30/04

April 6, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow officers of Officer Zourkas as the one year anniversary of that tragic day approaches.

They are gone, but they are never forgotten.

Carin E. Sollman, surviving spouse

April 6, 2006

You brought love,friendship, loyalty and good humour to many. Those whose lives you touched miss you but you will remain in their hearts forever. The loss is with those, like myself, who never had the good fortune to know you. As your first anniversary approaches let us all be thankful for the time you were on this earth and for the legacy you left behind.
Rest in Peace Steven and thank you for your service. The world is poorer without you.

Anne (Civilian UK)

April 5, 2006

The one year anniversary is approaching and it feels like all this happened yesturday. Anniversary seems to be the wrong word to use for a loss. But then it hit me,We should be celebrating Steve's life more than his death. We should cherish in the quality not the quantity in which we knew him. As long as we remember Steve every day,his memory will constantly be honored. We all miss you,and you have changed me forever,and for that I am grateful. God Bless us all.

AUX
NILES PD

April 4, 2006

I hold your family in prayer as they face the one year anniversary of that horrible day that you were tragically taken from them. May they feel the love and support of the Creator. May you know the peace and joy of the Kingdom of God.

Mary Kay Balchunas
Mother of Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

April 2, 2006

Coming up on year,,,God bless you Steve. You won't be forgotten.

Detective
CCSPD

March 7, 2006

We are close to a year,and I hope people have not forgotten their promise to keep in touch with the family,to visit the cemetary and to keep Steve alive in our memory and our hearts. We miss you Steve!!!

AUX
NILES PD

February 17, 2006

Hey Steve-
Steve I wish you were here there are so many things I need to tell you. I miss you so much and I am moving next week and it is breaking my heart because we were neighbors forever and the thought of not seeing your house everyday and all the memories we shared together growing up in Morton Grove. I still can't believe your gone I still feel like I am going to see you again especially when i am outside I think of all the times when you would sneek up on me and scare the crap out of me. Colleen and I talk about you all the time and we always start the conversation out laughing at all the memories of you and then we both break down and cry because you are missed more than you ever thought possible. I went by your mom and dads the other day and they gave me a picture of Andrew, he looks so much like you. When he grows up I am going to make sure and tell him all about you and all the crazy things you did. I still remember when you and my brother Michael thought you were both Spiderman and were climbing on top of our roof and the times when you guys were all up in the attic with a bunch of girls and michael ended up falling through the ceiling and all you saw were his legs dangling through the ceiling and I remember hearing you cracking up in the background. Or all the times that you would come over after work and I was trying to take a nap and would not answer the door because i was tired and then all of a sudden I would hear you yelling at me through my window to wake up and if i still didn't respond you boost yourself up to my window and start peeking your head through the window saying Sandi I know your home get up and answer the door. God Steve you were such a great best friend and I miss you and think of you every day. I love you. Love, Sandi

Sandi Licke, Friend

February 15, 2006