Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our sincerest sympatathies to the family and fellow officers of Officer Gaughan and to the citizens of Prince George's County on another true hero.

Past President LA Kitty Garner
Branchville Ladies Auxialiary

June 26, 2005

steve i have heard alot of wonderful things said about you this week...but the overwhelming description of you that kept coming up, was how you were a man's man. well i definitely agree with that. no matter where i saw ya or what you were doing you always were able to make me laugh. you even helped me out when i was a rookie, and was about to do something stupid. you will be missed by alot of people, for you were a hero, not only in your work, but in how you led your life. god bless you and your family, and one day i hope to see you again...rest in peace brother!

corporal larson#1864
prince george's county police dept.

June 25, 2005

"The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion..........."

PSO Robert Caudill K-9
Bristol TN Police Dept

June 25, 2005

Donna and the Family,

I find it very hard not to think of Steve these days. It is hard to believe that I have lost both Steve and Nova during my short time of being a Police Officer. I remeber working with Steve and the grief he gave me when I came back to be his Sergeant. The only reason I call it grief is because of the hard time he use to give me cutting up. He was an Outstanding Cop and Man. I hope that I can live up to his standards, Lord knows we had fun Policing together. Donna your daughter was right when she came into the church today, we were all sad, because we will miss him so much. Skip

Sgt. Skipper D. Hamm #1523
Prince George's County Polic

June 25, 2005

Even though I never had the opportunity to meet you, I had the opportunity to know your wife; she was my Criminal Justice 151 professor at PGCC. I often remembered how she spoke of you and the children and loved you dearly. Today I attended your funeral and it showed how much you will always be truly loved and missed by so many friends, family, fellow officers, and citizens of this county. Thank you for your selfless service to our profession and my heart and prayers go out to your family. You can rest now, the watch is ours, and I know you are safe in God’s arms for eternity.

PO M. Rich ID 2831
Prince George's County Police Dept.

June 25, 2005

Rest in peace my brother officer. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the department. Aloha and god bless.

Police Officer
Honolulu Police Department

June 25, 2005

BLOOD UPON THE SHIELD

CONFRONTATION IN AN ALLEY,
THE CENTURION DOES NOT YIELD.
BUT THIS TIME THE GOOD GUY LOSES;
THERE IS BLOOD UPON THE SHIELD.

AND THE MOURNFUL SOUNDS OF BAGPIPES
PLAY OUT ACROSS THE LAND,
DROWNED OUT BY THE SOBS OF A LONELY YOUNG WIFE AND A CHILD TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND.

WHILE THE KILLER PLEADS HIS CASE IN COURT,THE THIN BLUE LINE IS ONE MAN SHORT.
AND WE'RE ONE STEP CLOSER TO SOCIETY'S FALL; ANOTHER COP'S NAME IS ENGRAVED ON THE WALL.

ANOTHER STATE FUNERAL, WITH AN ARMY IN BLUE, AND WE KNOW IT COULD'VE BEEN ME AND IT COULD'VE BEEN YOU.

WE ALL LOOK AHEAD TO WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE,FRONT LINE TROOPERS IN A COUNTRY THAT'S AT WAR.
AT WAR WITH ITSELF AND AT WAR WITH ITS COPS AND WE'RE OUT THERE EVERY DAY 'CAUSE THE BATTLE NEVER STOPS.

IT'S NOT THE WAY IT IS ON TV SHOWS OR LIKE WE LEARNED IN SCHOOL; NO COOL MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND,
NO PLAYING BY THE "RULES."
WE'RE DISILLUSIONED WARRIORS,
BUT FOR RIGHT WE'LL ALWAYS STRIVE.
WE JUST PRAY THAT AT THE END OF OUR STRESS-FILLED DAY WE'LL GET BACK HOME ALIVE.

YOU STAND OUT ON THE CORNER IGNORING THE INSULTS AND THE STARES,
CLOSE TO THE POINT OF BELIEVING THAT NO ONE REALLY CARES,
WHEN A SIX YEAR-OLD BOY WALKS OVER AFTER WATCHING YOU FOR AWHILE, REACHING OUT TO SHAKE YOUR HAND,
ON HIS FACE A FRIENDLY SMILE.
TO HIM YOU ARE A HERO, A PROTECTOR OF OUR LAND,
AND HE WANTS TO LEARN ABOUT YOU,
AS A COP AND AS A MAN.

AND WHEN HE ASKS YOU WHY YOUR BADGE IS COVERED BY A BLACK ELASTIC BAND,
TELL HIM ABOUT OUR BROTHER-
A COP WHO MADE A STAND.

Author: Randolph Liebec

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
UMPD - College Park

June 25, 2005

For the officers of Prince George's County and the Gaughan family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Martín D. Castellanos,
Patrol Officer, Boca Raton PD
Reserve Instructor, USCG TACLET South
Chaplain, FOP Lodge 35

"War has no power to transform.
It merely exaggerates the good, and evil, that are in us."
Anatomy of Courage
- Doctor Charles McMoran Wilson

PO Martin Castellanos
Boca Raton PD / USCGR

June 25, 2005

My most heartfelt sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Corporal Gaughan. I heard about his death through a friend who lives nearby there. It saddens me no matter who it is, or how far away. God Bless you all.

L.A.
Wife of Burbank Police Officer (CA)

June 25, 2005

As a former police Officer and after the loss of my buddy Rod Pocceschi in a similar shoot out in Virginia Beach, Va. I reach out to give your family our thanks and Love. Our prayers our with you, stand watch and walk the streets for God. You have done your time in Hell.

iNVESTIGATOR RICK SPARGOS
TIDEWATER INTELLIGENCE

June 25, 2005

I DID NOT KNOW YOU BUT MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES.

jason

June 25, 2005

Rest in peace Corporal, we'll take it from here. My prayers go out to your wife and children. As for your PG County family, my condolences to you also.

Officer
Thurmont Police

June 25, 2005

Rest In Peace Dear Brother . You Are Truly Missed .

Private First Class
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Va.

June 25, 2005

I just wanted to say that I knew Steve from The Greenbelt baseball,(machine pitch)league.I've known him for the past two seasons,(2years)of the game.And what little I knew was enough to sadden not just myself, but everyone in my family,and the other families involved in the game.Steve was always kind,and friendly,everytime I saw Steve he always said hello,and asked how I was doing.He even went out of his way to come over and say hello when I was anywhere in Greenbelt, and he saw my family,and I first.He had such a good spirit about him,and never did I hear a harsh word come out of his mouth.If it was'nt for seeing his police car at the games,I would'nt have known he was a police officer.He did'nt use his career as a way to pull his weight,or for pride,or ego purposes.He did'nt need to,he was obviously confident,and comfortable with himself.He was a very humble,kind,and pleasant man.I'm so sorry for his wife,and children to have lost many years they could have been blessed by this man's existence in their lives, what a great loss to endure.Not to mention the loss to the police force,and community,he will greatly be missed.We will always remember him,he was a true example of the best of what a human being should be!

Jennifer Gibbs (Parent of teamembers)
N/A

June 25, 2005

Stevie,

You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. We are all better people for having known you. My family always appreciated it when you took the time to visit with them back home in Boston. We will all miss you.

Mark Micele
DSAC
USDOC NOAA OLE

Deputy Special Agent in Charge
US Department of Commerce NOAA OLE

June 25, 2005

Steve,

I will miss you very much. I remember how as a rookie cop at District III back in '94, I regarded you as one of the many role models of what a cop is and should be...a hard-charger! My heart goes out to you and your family and friends. When I heard what happened halfway around the world, it made me realize how much I wish I could be there to help and support everyone. I'm sorry that I cannot be there in your time of need and I promise I will pay my respects and visit your family when I return from this mission. Everyone, take care and be safe.

2LT Harry Oldfield (Detective-PGPD#2025)
B/1-115 IN, Camp Taji, Iraq

June 25, 2005

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOUR FAMILY AND FELLOW OFFICERS WHO DEALING WITH THIS HORRIBLE TRAGITY. YOU ARE IN HEAVEN NOW;REST IN PEACE BROTHER; JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL.

Officer
SPPD Martin County FL.

June 25, 2005

Prince George's County Police Department lost a wonderful officer. He was a true hero! My deepest sympathy to his wife, children and members of the Prince George's County Police Department. Steve, I will meet you again as you are now a guard to the gates of heaven with your beautiful smile!

Disp Barbara Dusick/ex-911 oper PGPD
Cape Coral Police Department, Florida

June 25, 2005

Though we never spoke - I would always see you outside or walking to the playground with your family. It was comforting to know that you were in the neighborhood and part of the community. You worked with my brother-in-law in District VI. You will never be forgotten by all that knew you. May you rest in peace, and may God be with your family. My heart and prayers goes out to the Gaughan Family.

Greenbelt, MD Citizen

June 25, 2005

Cpl. Gaughan,
Thank You for your service and the leadership that I have read so much about. Rest in peace. Its our watch now.

PO Marc Erme
Montgomery County Police Dept, MD

June 24, 2005

on behalf of all the auxiliary members in the state of alabama, i send our sincerest sympaty to the family, friends, and the prince george county police department. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
AUXILIARY MOTTO: "NEVER LET THEM WALK ALONE"

mary mc intyre pres.- nat. trustee
alabama state fraternal order of police auxiliary

June 24, 2005

Prince George's County has lost another hero. So sad to have heard of the news- will never forget your sense of humor and smile. God bless you and god bless your family.

PGPD wife

June 24, 2005

You and your family are in my prayers.

Former Police Officer
Maryland

June 24, 2005

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. - Joseph Campbell

Your sacrafice will not be forgotten. Thank you for your service and dedication to the greatest profession in the world.

Sgt. Jason Keckler
Frederick Police Department

June 24, 2005

Cpl. Gaughan paid the ultimate price in the name of protecting his community from violence. For that, he will always be remembered as a couragous man who died a hero. May you find everlasting peace in the house of the Lord.

My prayers go out to all those left behind to carry on. Know that the family of brother and sister Officers throughout the world share your pain and will provide you comfort where ever you are. God speed.

Sgt. Will Hoyt
Bellows Falls, VT PD

June 24, 2005