Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

April 15, 2005

Rest in peace Brother and thanks for your service

Police Officer E.J. Kavanaghvv
Virginia Beach Police Department

April 15, 2005

You'll be a Brother and a Friend for life. God Bless you and your family. You will always be remembered.

Detective Mazurkiewicz
Glenview Police Department

April 15, 2005

Dear Steve:

Only seven days have elapsed since you left us, but already it feels like a lifetime. It’s already been too long since we last heard your raspy laughter and listened to your booming voice.
Steve, these simple words can’t adequately convey how much you have meant to us and how very proud we are of you and what you accomplished in your all too short a life. Words usually come from the mind, but ours come from our hearts—hearts that are breaking because we miss you so very much.

Aux. Charles T. Laws
Niles Police Department

April 15, 2005

I met Steve on only a few brief occasions, so my words might not resonate with the clarity of loss felt by his close friends and loved ones. But I can tell you this with absolute certainty: The impact of this tragedy on a certain cadre of Officers who espouse all that is righteous and pure in the cause of Law Enforcement tells me everything I need to know about what type of man Steve was. He lived a hero and he died a hero. A man cannot ask for more.
Look down kindly on us mortal fools, Ofc. Zourkas.

Ofc. Melendy #125
Morton Grove Police Dept.

April 15, 2005

Steve, heaven is a safer place now, if not a little crazier. The shift won't ever be the same but we can't help but remember: "Hey, quick question..."

William Castellano #115
Niles Police

April 15, 2005

Steve, I will never forget what you told me that night we were out, that stays between you and me forever. With you there was never a wall, we were all equals. I am proud to be your friend. Rest in Peace.

Aux. Coordinator E. Ziegler #401
Niles Police Department

April 14, 2005

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine that would attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot reframe from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid down so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.
Abraham Lincoln

Detective Mike Frieders
Geneva Police Department, Geneva, Il.

April 14, 2005

Steve, you left a void that can never be filled. You will be missed by all. But I know when a niles cop goes 41... 165 will do a ride-along. I will keep your family in my prayers

Aux Bob Kreiling
Niles Police Department

April 14, 2005

Rest in peace Ofc. Zourkas. You and your family are in our prayers.

Ofc. Raap
South Lyon PD MI

April 14, 2005

In the simple performance of duty,
he pinned on a badge,
checked his gear with a practiced eye,
and kissed his loved ones good-bye.
In the simple performance of duty,
he reported for work,
joked with his buddies at roll call,
and made his last trip down the squadroom hall.
In the simple performance of duty,
he answered the call
to help the helpless, to find the lost,
no matter the danger or how great the cost.
In the simple performance of duty,
he lay down his life,
for those in peril he tried to save,
our brave friend went to his grave.
In the simple performance of duty,
we honor his deed,
as we carry him to rest in a flag-draped casket,
long after the world has forgotten, we shall never forget.
Never judge or regret, what he did, In the simple performance of duty.

Steve, you were a great friend and listener.
I have so many great memories of you.
These are just a few:
Passing the Psych test to become an officer
Poker, especially 7/27
Going to the movies
Boo-Boo nickname

My prayers go out to your family, friends and fellow officers.
I will miss you.
Your friend forever,
Terry

Terry Williams
Friend

April 14, 2005

We little knew that morning,
God would call you home.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
And you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your shinning light still our guide.
Although we can not see you,
We know you are at out side.
Our police family chain has broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as god calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

Steve,
Your thirst for knowlegde always amazed me. I often thought of "Columbo" when you would say "Um, I got just one more question". Now we all have just one more question.."WHY?"
Hopefully it is true "All your questions will be answered when you get to Heaven", Hopefully they will be all answered at once, otherwise you will tying up the line at the Golden Gates for a long time..
Rest in Peace my friend.

ofc. #147 Ron & Sheri Brandt
Niles P.D.

April 13, 2005

For all of the times I told you where to go Steve (pun intended), I hope I expressed how much I cared. I'll miss you Crazy, and promise to take care of the rest of our guys. Please watch over us, and throw a bolt our way when we need it.

Disp. Michelle Homme

April 13, 2005

I grew up in Niles, and have always been impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of that community. Our hearts go out to your entire department for your loss. We, too, have lost a brother this past week, and we can empathize with the pain that you must be feeling. Know that every member of the St Charles Police Department is there for you in your time of need.
God Bless you all.

Detective Robert Bobinsky
St Charles Illinois Police Department

April 13, 2005

God bless you Steven and your family. May you rest in peace and may god give your family the strength they need to help them with their grief. I am deeply saddened that I could not attend your services as we (SCPD) were unfortunately laying to rest one of our own that very day.

Detective James Burden
St. Charles, Illinois Police Dept.

April 13, 2005

I WILL NEVER DRIVE PAST THAT ACCIDENT SCENE WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT YOU,BUT FOR AS LONG AS LIVE,I WILL DO MY BEST TO EXPLAIN TO YOUR SON ON WHAT A WONDERFUL FATHER HE HAD!!! IN OUR HEARTS YOUR LEGACY AND MEMORY WILL FOREVER LIVE ON.....WITH LOVE GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

AUX BASIL RIGAS
NILES POLICE DEPARTMENT

April 13, 2005

From the men and women of the Larned P.D. we send our deep felt sorrow and regret over the loss of this fine man. Our prayers are with you and your family and friends. May your soul rest in peace. God Bless.............

Chief of Police Charles R. Orth
Larned, Kansas Police Department

April 13, 2005

My condolences to Officer Zourkas' family,friends, and officers of the Niles Police Department. My prayers are with you.

Demetria Nickerson
Niles Public Services

April 13, 2005

In honor of P/O Steven Zourkas #165...

Policeman's Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael, Heaven's glorious Commissioner of Police, who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional eye on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, hard punches, an uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, St. Michael, from your own experiences with the devil that the policeman's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so suprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us your inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your Heavenly Force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God, as we have been the city of men. Amen.

Your loss is truly devastating...

May God bless you and your family.

Sgt. John Huinker
Niles P.D.

April 13, 2005

Steve, you were one of kind my man. No matter what the mood you were always able to make someone laugh. I will miss hearing your "ughh yea" after everytime I go 10-42. I thank you for lookin out for me these last few years I have known you. It has been an honor to have been friends with and work with you, it will not be forgotten. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Aux. Chris Tackes
Niles PD

April 13, 2005

Steve, you cared for so many others and always wanted people to be happy. Rest in Peace my friend and we will be seeing you again some day.

LTSS Kenneth John MacLeod
U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

April 13, 2005

Such a loss can never be understood. What a wonderful and caring person you were. God bless your new baby boy and your family. You will never be forgotten.

Chris Scherrer

April 13, 2005

Steve..Glad I had the opportunity to work with you on NORTAF. You had a promising career with us and I cant believe you arent here anymore to take that journey. Im not sure how many questions you asked me during the job in Wheeling.. I think I stopped counting at 20. Rest in Peace.

Detective S. Sullivan
Wilmette PD

April 13, 2005

Steve, you will be missed. Our prayers go with you and your family.

Sgt. Joseph O'Sullivan
Niles Police Department

April 13, 2005

Although your watch has come too an end, rest easy my brother knowing that the battle will rage on and that your sacrifice was not in vain, nor will it ever be forgotten.

God bless you and your family.

PC Christopher Ferko
Toronto Police Service, Canada

April 13, 2005