Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy Thanksgiving Steve. You're family is in my prayers today.

Nikki Donaldson

November 23, 2006

Steve thank you, I know you were there and I know it is the only reason I am sitting here typing to you now. Thank you.

November 7, 2006

Steve,

I never had the pleasure of meeting you, however I did have the pleasure of meeting your family this fall. Daniel and my son Jonathan played on the Pirates Team together in fall ball for Greenbelt Baseball. I should say what a beautiful family you have. My son's father is a Police Officer for Greenbelt City K-9 and we have been a big supporter of your family this last year. Rachel is quiet the character and wants to retire from the 1st grade (I laughed so hard when she told me that...)and Daniel we'll his is a bit more reserved and very into his baseball. Though both of them get very excited when they see the "In Memory Of" stickers on all our cars or the tee shirts from the benefits that have happened. You are surely loved by all and are missed even more. Donna is doing a fabulous job w/the children, but in many ways you can tell she has lost her best friend. You have left behind a huge circle of family and friends and it is evident that they are going to make sure your family will be alright. Again, I never got the opportunity to meet you face to face though I have seen you at baseball games prior to your death, but I have gotten the opportunity to meet Donna and the kids and what a pleasure that has been. May God bless all of your loved ones and help carry them through the rough and hard times.

Kara Donaldson-Marks
Friend

October 31, 2006

Dear Steve,
We think about you every day. That beautiful, striking smile gets me every time. Donna and the kids are busy and doing well. Your brother is now a pirate or at least he thinks he is. We love you. Another officer that lives close by has made the ultimate sacrafice, like you left two small children and a wife behind. His name was Sargent Micheal Briggs. You will soon join Michael in a place with all other fallen heros. HEROS NEVER DIE!!

Mary Gaughan
Sister in law

October 25, 2006

HEY, I WOKE UP THINKING OF YOU TODAY, I DARTED INTO THE KITCHEN AND THOUGHT I HEARD YOU AT THE DOOR. THEN REALIZED I MUST HAVE BEEN DREAMING. HOW I WISH IT WERE TRUE.EVERY DAY I MISS YOU A LITTLE MORE THEN THE DAY BEFORE. MAYBE YOU ARE LAUGHING AND STILL DOING YOUR PRANKS FROM HEAVEN. YOU RUNAWAY ANGEL

October 10, 2006

Steve,I can still remember seeing you in the Co-op,with that big smile on your face with that twinkle in your eyes,it was your birthday! Friends were wishing you "Happy Birthday!" You stood in line talking to more friends, then when you parted you said,"See you in church!" The following week you were back into the store.I was so glad to have that small conversation with you that Friday,I didn't know you would be gone by Tuesday.I'm glad to have known you.Because of you I'm now going to the Greenbelt Baptist church! You will always be remembered.

Friend

October 3, 2006

Steve,

I think of you daily and I am so proud to have known you and called you friend. You had the great ability to bring laughter and humor to the most trying of situations. Things are definitely different without you and not in a good way. Percy couldn't have been more correct when he said "if I had 1300 officers like Steven Gaughan, there would be no crime in PG County" Funny how the recognition comes after you're gone,isn't it? We all knew it, though.

You will never be forgotten and always revered/

friend

October 3, 2006

"Shut up or fight!" I laugh every time I hear the phrase and laugh now as I type the words. Although I can't recall who screamed the phrase first, Steve or my brother Chris, I am quite certain it would cause Steve to smile if he heard it again today. And most assuredly, the smile would be followed up by a barrage of playful jabs to the chest ... jabs that would sting for several hours and make you wish you had just kept your mouth shut in the first place.

It all began one Friday or Saturday night about 25 years ago when Steve (age 16 or 17 at the time) came over to our house to babysit us (my sister, me and two older brothers) for the night. Most nights started off pretty much the same way: football in the front yard, followed up with nerf basketball in the living room, followed by a video rental (usually a horror flick) with pizza delivery.

As the night wore on, it was Steve's responsibility to make sure we went to bed. To put this in context, at the time my siblings and I were ages 4, 8, 11 and 13. My brother Chris (age 11 at the time, now 34) always resisted Steve's attempts to make him go to bed. Naturally, his subordinance resulted in fistacuffs with Steve. Without getting into all the gory details, I can say the battles were hard fought on both sides, occurred inside and outside the house and usually lasted for several hours at a time, with my brother Chris always taking the brunt of the beatings from cousin Steve.

Getting to the purpose of my story .... during the battles with my brother Chris, there were always periods of inactivity, during which Steve would try to tone down the situation and talk to my brother. In response, my brother would always scream back, "shut up or fight!" and the fighting would resume. Hahahahahaha !!!! I think it was a phrase my brother borrowed from a Brady Bunch episode when the bully in the schoolyard said it to Peter Brady when Peter tried reasoning with him.

Anyway, that's the phrase that resonates in my mind when I think of Steve. It was the greeting that was always exchanged amongst us when we met up with Steve for whatever reason in our later adult years.

He moved to Maryland several years ago, but whenever he came to visit us back in Massachusetts, "shut up or fight!" were always the first words out of his mouth or our mouths when we saw each other. And yes, despite the fact that he was close to 40 and we were in our 30's, the greeting was usually followed up with playful physical engagement of sorts ... and the jabs still stung for hours and I regretted opening my mouth in the first place.

That's what I think of when I remember Steve and I always laugh out loud when I stroll down memory lane. We love you and we'll miss you Steve.

Your Cousins

Brendan Gaughan
Cousin

September 19, 2006

You are a true hero and will always be remembered.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

September 13, 2006

I have to say Steve that your picture gets me every time I come here. That's how you were ALL the time. A happy guy. You were a great guy and always ready and willing to help anybody out,even if you really didn't have the time. You put everyone else before yourself. Not many people can boast of being that way,that's for sure. I've gotta tell you, even though I know you are gone by your absence,I am STILL in denial, if that makes any sense at all. How can this be? Everyone that knew you should have taken something positive from that experience. Hopefully, they learned a few things too.
Til we meet again my friend!

August 30, 2006

You Will be missed for all eternity.

God bless you, Steve.

To have you in our lives was an honor.

August 29, 2006

We all miss you Steve and not a day goes by that you are not thought about. I can be laughing in a room full of people one minute and then be alone and have a thought or a memory of you and I lose it. This is just so wrong!

August 22, 2006

Hey Steve not a day goes by that i havent stopped thinking about you.

mike

August 12, 2006

You will never mean more to anyone than your family.
Your wife,Donna and your beautiful children,Daniel and Rachael,Mom,me and your other siblings,Mike,Brian and Bill..
Love you and miss you everyday,Steve.

Barbara

sister

August 11, 2006

I miss you Steve laughing and horsing around with my brother, Nova. I still cannot believe that you are gone. I think of you and your family often. My brother and you were very special people while you were here on earth.

I know that you are at peace and you and John are watching over all of us. Steve, it has been over a year already, but the wounds are still fresh. When I think of my brother John, I think of you also because you two were alot alike.

I pray for you to be at peace and I pray for your family.

Although you are gone, you will never be forgotten.

"The officer is down and needs help" " The officer has left us to be with the Lord".

Steve, I will always keep you in my prayers. I am a better person for knowing you and what you stood for.

Bernie, Nova's brother

July 24, 2006

Lonestar has a song "Not a day goes by"
one line is "not a day goes by that I don't think of you"
That about sums it up,Steve.

July 23, 2006

"run-away angel!" i think that the person who stated that is probably right! your mischiveous smile and that twinkle in your eye. you always looked as if you were up to something. but what really stands out is your character...your heart. in spite of the jokes and pranks, everyone knew you to be dependable and a stand up guy. at the end of the day, we could put our trust in you. i can hardly believe that it was a year ago that you were taken from us. i felt as if time was standing still when i received the news. it couldn't be so. not the warrior...he is bullet-proof...he cannot be gone. my heart still aches. and even as i stood in full class-a uniform in that sweltering sun at your funeral, i still could not fully accept the fact that you were gone. to this day, i think of you daily...keep your picture up on my wall...as i have said before, we are holding it down here in gorgeous prince george's, but i know that we would give forever and a day to get you back with us... i miss your smile...
much love to donna and the children. know that we've got your back and we know that you are watching over us--you runaway angel!!! much love to you... "starsky"

starsky
Prince George's County Police

July 2, 2006

HEY MY HERO ITS BEEN A YEAR AND SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY I KEEP WAITING FOR MY PHONE TO RING AND TO HEAR YOUR LAUGHTER.I COME HERE EVERYDAY TO READ YOUR MESSAGES. MY THOUGHT WAS TO LET THE OTHER PEOPLE LEAVE THIER MESSAGE AND I WOULD DO MINE LATER. I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THAT, BECAUSE YOU ALL READY KNOW. I LOVE AND MISS YOU EVERYDAY.UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN I WILL BE HERE READING AND MISSING YOU. SMILING AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY AS I. STEVIE YOU SURE DID IT RIGHT! I WAS ALWAYS TOLD, IF YOU HAD ONE FRIEND YOU WERE BLESSED AND TO SEE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS MAKES ME REALIZE THAT HEAVEN WAS MISSING AN ANGEL AND BROUGHT YOU BACK HOME. I KNOW YOU ARE SMILING DOWN ON US AND THINKING I HAD TO COME HOME FIRST TO PREPARE HEAVEN FOR THE REST OF YOU MISFITS. YOU WERE PROBABLY A RUNAWAY ANGEL TO BEGIN WITH! LOL

June 28, 2006

STEVIE, ITS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE THIS TRAGEDY HAPPENED. AND STILL NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK OF YOU AND YOUR HEROIC EFFORT ON THE STREET. THE HALLS OF DISTRICT ARE SILENT,BUT I CAN STILL HEAR THEM ECHO WITH YOUR LAUGHTER. WHEN I WALK THROUGH THE DOORS TO BEGIN MY SHIFT, I'M WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE, "COME ON RAY RAY!" I WAS THE LUCKIEST OFFICERS ON THIS DEPARTMENT TO GET CHOOSEN TO GO TO DISTRIST VI AND HAVE YOU AS MY FIELD TRAINING OFFICER. THE STORIES THAT WENT ALONG WITH YOU AND BRADY WERE ONES THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT THE THINGS YOU TAUGHT ME WILL LAST FOREVER TOO. YOUR SMILE AND JOKES ARE MISSED EVERYDAY THAT I ENTER THE STATION OF DISTRICT VI,IT'S NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU. I CAN TELL ANYBODY THAT ASKS ME, I WAS TRAINED BY STEVE GAUGHAN,ONE OF THE BEST POLICE OFFICERS ON OUR DEPARTMENT. STEVIE, I MISS YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY, AND ITS VERY HARD TO SIT AND TYPE BECAUSE IM FLOODING THE KEY BOARD WITH TEARS.I JUST WISH THAT ALL THESE NEW OFFICERS THAT COME TO DISTRICT VI COULD HAVE GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO MEET YOU. STEVE YOU WOULD HAVE A BALL WITH THESE GUYS AND GIRLS. THE PRANKS YOU COULD PULL ON THESE GUYS WOULD BE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT. SO UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN BROTHER, WE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE. THANKS AGAIN STEVE, MY BROTHER, MY HERO, MY FTO. RAY RAY #2417

PFC. RAYMOND ROCK
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

June 23, 2006

1 year and 1 day ago.. I can hardly even believe it when I think that its been that long. Seems like only yesterday you were standing in front of everyone.. making them laugh.. or just smile at whatever goofy thing you could come up with. You were always the highlight of the day. There are so many who love you Steve, and always will. That's the one thing they did not take away from us 1 year and 1 day ago. I take time often to come to this page, and read through the reflections that people in our county.. and even around the entire country have left for you. Even a year later, it never ends. We know that you are watching over us with the rest of the Angels in Blue .. I know my back is well guarded with all of you up there. We will continue to miss you and love you. Until we meet again...

Dispatcher
PGPD PSC

June 22, 2006

Sgt. Gaughan, THANK YOU for your dedication and service to your community. My heart breaks for your family and co-workers who miss you terribly. May GOD watch over them and give them a peace that only HE can give. I honor you. May GOD Protect our Law Enforcement Officers!!~

Wife of Pentagon Police Officer
Former 11 year WV State Trooper/Sniper

June 22, 2006

We all miss you Steve. It brings a smile to my face when I see all the memorial stickers on the cruisers and pov's that I had made up a year ago. I'm in Indiana now, but that doesn't mean I don't miss you..........

Mike Augustinos
PGPD PSC (former)

June 22, 2006

First came the news of the serious nature of the tragedy which struck on this morning one year ago. Later came the terrible news you had not survived. It couldn't be so. It seems just yesterday you were the mischievious neighbor, the young boy running around with the his dog digger, the friend. It is obvious you became a wonderful man devoted to his family and friends. Be at peace Steven.

June 21, 2006

I remember Steve working part time at one of the worse apartment complexes in the county, Amberwood. Most of the time he would work alone and I always hung around the immediate area when I knew he was by himself just so he wouldn't have to handle calls there by himself. He was always a pleasure to back up and always had that shit eatin' gin on his face. God bless you and keep looking down on us still fighting the good fight.

Binky #2401

Cpl. Jason Avery #2401
Prince George's County Police, co worker

June 21, 2006

HEY BROTHER MAN, IT'S BEEN A LONG YEAR. WE ALL GOT TOGETHER THIS MORNING AND MET UP WITH DONNA, JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY WAS THERE. A FEW THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT CALLED. I KNOW YOUR LOOKING DOWN ON US BECAUSE YOUR ONE OF OUR GUARDIAN ANGELS. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT WE'LL ALL BE TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN. CORONA AND ALL.

1570

June 21, 2006