Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

THE POLICEMAN'S LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE POLICEMAN STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, POLICEMAN. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE POLICEMAN SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward now, policeman, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in hell."

I regret having to put the black band around my badge again. Rest asured that your family and department our in our prayers. You will never be forgotten.

PSO Gist #851
Naperville Park Police

April 13, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the Guam Police Department, our deepest condolences. Be at peace my brother.

Sergeant II John P. Rabon
Guam Police Department

April 13, 2005

Rest in peace Brother. May God Bless your loved ones .

Sgt L Fear ( Ret )
Oblong Il Police Dept

April 12, 2005

Steve, thanks for....BEING YOU!!!!!

Niles Aux. P.O. Tom Polcyn #427

April 12, 2005

Steve, thank you for your selflessness and caring nature. You were a great friend to us. Our prayers are with your family and the Niles Police Department. Rest in peace, my friend, you are missed.

Tim Van Dyk and Melissa Lucar
Evanston PD

April 12, 2005

Rest in peace brother! May GOD bless you, your family and co-workers at Niles PD.

Officer Andy Cuomo # 5853
Chicago Police Department - Harrison District 011

April 12, 2005

Steve and his entire family where very kind and generous to me for many years. The lose of Steve, is truly felt by me. My prayers will continue to go out to Steve and the Zourkas family. I will never forget this special family.

TONY S. (PAM'S X)
FREIND

April 12, 2005

God bless you sir. Rest in peace.

Detective David Iwaszko
Calumet City PD

April 12, 2005

“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

April 12, 2005

May GOD bless your family and friends at this terrible time. Thank you for serving and protecting, Sir. Rest in peace.

Shirley Roberts
Aunt of Fallen Officer John Logan EOW-March 14, 2004

April 12, 2005

I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME

I never dreamed it would be me,
My name for all eternity,
Recorded here at this hallowed place,
Alas, my name, no more my face.

"In the line of duty," I hear them say:
My family now the price to pay.
My folded flag stained with tears;
We only had those few short years.

The badge no longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest.
My sword I pass to those behind,
And pray they keep this thought in mind.

I never dreamed it would be me,
And with heavy heart and bended knee,
I ask for all here from the past:
Dear God, let my name be the last.

Sir, Your memory will be honored. God Bless your family and all those that are suffering with heavy hearts. Others will continue your work always with the memory of what you gave!!

FDM
Douglasville, Georgia

April 12, 2005

Ever since I have been made aware of the odmp I find myself coming to it religiously. I lost my NYS Trooper brother to an on-duty car accident in 1961. I am sorry for the loss of all officers but the ones taken by car accidents are the most difficult for me to understand. I can only say that their families should try to take comfort in knowing that their loved ones will forever be honored and remembered by those who unfortunately share the same circumstance. I offer my sincere condolenceses to Officer Zourkas' wife, sons, family, friends and fellow officers. You will all be in the prayers of survivor families and that is where you will find the courage to carry on. May God and your loved one watch over you.

A. Culosi
sister of deceased Tpr. S. J. Embarrato

April 12, 2005

My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and the officers of the Niles Police Dept.

Thank you Officer Zourkas for your service to the community and for a job well done.R.I.P

Cpl Barry W Cannon
Center Hill Police Dept. Center Hill, Fla

April 11, 2005

My fiancé, 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 Steven did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Steven be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Zourkas' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. 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. If you ever need anything please do not hesistate to contact me. Dennis' department will always know how to reach me.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Steven 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 Steven was well respected and well loved. You were blessed to have had him in your life, even for a short time.

Thank you Officer Zourkas for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

April 11, 2005

Steve, You will be missed by many more people than You could have ever imagined.

Chris Colletti
Village of Niles

April 11, 2005

Steve~~It is still hard to believe that you are gone from this Earth. You will be dearly missed by all those whose lives you touched. I know we did not work very much together but the times we did were good times. "Liberty" found a good home with you and now you don't have to worry about those darn skunks.
Thank you Steve for touching my life--it was an honor and a pleasure to know and work with you. You truly were one of the BEST!!! May God keep your soul safe.

Animal Control Officer/ P. Babikan
Niles Police Department

April 11, 2005

Rest in peace, Officer Zourkas. You are in our prayers.

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

April 11, 2005

Our store will miss you. We send our deepest condolences to your wife and family and also to your fellow officers. May you rest in peace.

Dunkin Donuts (Demsper & Shermer)

April 11, 2005

We will miss your touch, your smile, your warm embrace,
We will miss everything about you and this is just so hard to face.

The day you left us Steve will forever remain in our hearts,
We are asking why you had to leave now, why we had to part.

The tears shall forever fall for each day you are not by our side,
The people you left behind will forever walk with your dignity and your pride.

I know your presence still lingers here you want to comfort our souls,
But every day you are not with us the pain becomes so hard to control.

You are my son, husband, father, officer and friend,
Everything we went through and fought for will be with us till the very end.

As tears fall from our eyes we look up into the sad sky,
Letting you know we shall never forget about you, and that with us you shall never die.

The might and spirit of you Steve shall never ever cease.
God has you now, go and rest in peace,

CSO Sarah Ann Stopka #301
Niles P.D.

April 11, 2005

Rest in peace. My condolences go out to your family, friends and to the Niles PD. You will be missed.

Ofc. Yezo
Joliet PD

April 11, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Niles Police Department

Fallen but never forgotten

Bryan Laurie son of Fallen Officer
Nathan Laurie EOW 7-29-04

April 11, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of Industry Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Steven Zourkas. Having lost Deputy Michael Arruda this past year (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too the well the pain and reality of losing one of our own. Take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family grieves with you.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

April 11, 2005

Officer Steve "I got a question" Zourkas #165. It has truly been an honor knowing you and calling you my friend. You were dedicated to your family, your friends, and being a great cop. I still don't believe you are gone and can't picture the Niles Police Department without your personality and sense of humor. You touched many lives and will not be forgotten. Now you have to be our "guardian angel" and protect your brother officers so we can "make it home safe." Rest in peace my friend.
Tom

Officer Tom Fragassi
Niles Police Department

April 11, 2005

Take care, young officer! Our hearts go out to you and yours!

Sgt. Jim McCord
Douglas County Sheriff's Office

April 11, 2005

Your sense of humor, your dedication, and your zest for life will NEVER be forgotten. Thank you for being in our lives.

Sgt Jim Elenz
Niles PD

April 11, 2005