Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Step you were the man. I heard tons of stories before meeting you in person and you lived true to most of them. Your courage on the street rubbed off on many officers especially me. You and other Strike Force members responded to a shots fired call one night on south side when I was being shot at while chasing a 44 perp. You were truly a great officer and you performed your job no matter what circumstances you were confronted with. You will be trully missed and I know you are up there now looking down on all your fellow brothers in blue.

Officer / Friend
Lawrenceville PD

November 20, 2006

Step,
There was a "benefit ride" held in your honor yesterday. There was an incredible turnout. Approximately 1500 bikes took part in the ride. Your memory will live on in the hearts of all L.E.O. Those who were close to you and those who were not fortunate enough to know you.
During this holiday season, my thoughts and prayers will continue to be with your family. I know this will be a particularly difficult time, since it will be the first thanksgiving and christmas season they will spend without you.
I know that God will bless them and give them peace during this difficult time.

D.O. Donna Vaughn
Roswell Police Department

November 19, 2006

Hey Step...
Man I remember it like it was yesterday... I had the biggest crush on you and you were the man I was going to marry...of course I was only 12 or so at the time, But you always went out of your way to talk to "Stumps little daughter". I really miss you and your smile. I remember not so long ago seeing you at the gym working out...knowing that you were busy, I came and said hello and you stopped to say a few words back. I wish we didn't have to lose you so soon but I know that you are in a wonderful place and that you know our thoughts and prayers. I know I can say hey to you even more now... just in a different was. I wish you could have been around for my son to meet this wonderful person that I will tell him about when he is older... because you wont be forgotten by me or anyone else. I really miss you and think about you often. See you soon.
Stephanie

Stephanie
Friend

November 18, 2006

I still can't believe you're gone, Step. We think of you every single day. I hope we're keeping you proud!

Friend
DKPD

November 6, 2006

Stepnowski,

Remember when you thought it was so funny, to the point of you rolling on the ground, on an afternoon 87 when "our" dog MIMI bit me? And, I still have the marks in my (at that time new) driveway where you skidded the county unit in at 7AM with sirens and horns in your attempts to get me to come back to PD? And when you wrapped yourself around a tree like a burrito with a shotgun after that midnight roadblock chase (van/motorcycle)? you were hilarious. The last time I saw you was coming onto Clairmont Rd. in an unmarked unit, about two weeks before you went to heaven. I tried to get your attention as I knew you would chase me...for old times sake; but I just couldn't get over to block your lane. I wished I had made it. I tell my daughter about you and show her the skid marks and she laughs, and I will continue to as she grows up. You were killed on her birthday.

Always, brother. Dino

J. Dean Browne
formerly DKPD #1588

November 2, 2006

I walked into the living room this morning, with my coffee in hand and heard the news say "Dekalb County wil honor a falled officer" I looked up and saw your picture. I didn't know, and I am heart broken. Not knowing, I had continued to send you those sill text messages all summer with silly remarks ... and I've left you cell phone messages, the last of which I may have been a little snotty in, because you hadn't called me back. Step you were such a great friend to me, for over 6 years. The last time I saw you, you showed up at my office, we had lunch and talked. And before that, you showed up at my house, on your way to work. I had just gone through some things with my son, and I joked with you ... "don't you know you should never just show up at someone's door, in uniform?" You gave me a heart attack! Knowing you are gone, makes my heart hurt that we didn't keep in touch better. I will miss you Dennis ...

Mary Royal
Friend

November 2, 2006

Not a day goes by that we don't think about you. We truly miss you brother. It hurts but I know you are watching over us.

MPO Rios
DKPD/SWAT

October 31, 2006

Step-
it's been a while and i still don't know what to say. there is not a day that goes by that i don't think of you and say a prayer at work. i know you are there watching over us making sure everyone of us goes home.
there is a look i see in the strikeforce officers eyes that tell me they still think of you and during the night when i see a tear i know they miss you.
it sux that your life had to end while ours continue in the day to day.
my heart, prayers and thoughts are with you.

friend
dkpd

October 31, 2006

Step,
I am without appropriate words to convey the sense of loss that I feel. Memories of so many chases, so many arrests on morning watch at South Precinct. Yours was the last face from the precinct I saw after a visit when I had returned home from Iraq. I am still gone, still on active duty. To your family and brothers and sisters on the department, you all remain fixed in my prayers. You were a good man and a good cop, you will always be missed.
GCT

GCT Badge #1943
DKPD-South PCT, Leave of Absence due to Military orders

October 24, 2006

Step,

It is still hard to believe that you are gone. I did not know you in the capacity of a SWAT member but simply as a friend.

At a time when I had reached the lowest point of my life, it was as if out of no where that you showed your true qualities. If not for your strength, support and common sense I would not be here today. I lack the words to express how grateful I am for your friendship. And I am humbled still by your character.

I never believed that God placed Angels on Earth until I met Step. Just like Step would drop in on DKPD rookies in the field, I would receive a 2 min phone call just to check that I was okay. It made a world of a difference to me. I am so saddened that I do not have the opportunity to repay Step for kindness and friendship.

My condolences to his family and friends. He was an incredible person. I miss him very much and hope he is resting peacefully.

friend
Friend

October 20, 2006

Bro. . . it kills me that your life was cut short, on my birthday. While I was taking the day off, relaxing and drinking a beer, you were sacarficing your life to make the citizens of your county safer. It does not matter that I did not know you personally. As a fellow brother in blue, I grieve for you as if I knew you my whole life. Your sacarfice will never be forgotten. RIP

Senior Parole Officer
Georgia Parole Board

October 18, 2006

Bro its been hell since you have been gone. Dekalb has become a war zone perps are killing each other and trying to kill us but so far we are all still here. I know you are still watching over us and we are grateful I miss you so much

DKPD

October 17, 2006

Step-
You've been gone three months and my heart feels like it was yesterday. We are trying to go on as best as we can but somedays just to get out of bed is hard. I am blessed to have known you and will always remember you. We are doing all we can to honor you and your sacrifice. I know you see that and are with us always.

friend

October 5, 2006

Step,
As time goes by the realization sinks even furhter in that you really are gone. You will always be in our hearts.

friend

October 1, 2006

Step,

Time continues on just as the department continues. One thing that will never change is the fact that you are missed by all of us.

Each night, I think about you when I tuck my 5 and 3 year old girls into bed.

Before I leave for morning watch, we end their day by saying their prayers ......though they never met you, they finish their prayers by asking God to watch over "Officer Step in Heaven and our dog "Satchmo".

You've got two little angels praying for you everyday. I'm sure their prayers are not left unanswered.

Rest peacefully.

ps...Satch was the best... you're in good company

MPO M.O. Miller #2263
DKPD

September 19, 2006

Hey Step...
We haven't been able to write anything up to this point. I guess we thought that if we didn't-it just wouldn't be real. The problem is that it is. And it stinks!
We still can't believe that it was you. Why YOU? I guess it's still so close to home that it's too painful to deal with. We're still numb...
I don't know if R will ever really get over losing you; I think he still forgets you're gone. I cry at the weirdest times and can't seem to when I think I should. The kids are having a tough time, they can't get over the fact that they won't see their "Substitute Daddy" anymore. E writes a poem or picture about you every few days. The Little Man plays SWAT guy even more now and talks about you to his friends. We tell them that you're in heaven enjoying lots of ice ceam, candles and kitties...
We'll keep trudging along, trying to live each day to the fullest, in your honor. Please rest assured knowing that down here we all love you, miss you terribly (ESPECIALLY R), and think about you every day.
R,K,E & R

Kelly
friend/DKPD wife

September 19, 2006

you were... you are ... and will always be the best

friend
dkpd

September 15, 2006

I loved you before.. I love you now..I will love you in the future.. you are my heart , you are my soul... I hurt everyday that you are not here.. Life will never be the same.. I think of you daily and know you are looking down... Kisses... Me..

me...

September 15, 2006

Step,

Everyday you are thought of and miss so much. Thank you for being a warrior and serving Dekalb County. We miss you so much and wish you were here to have so many more memories with. Until we meet again we will think of you and smile. God bless you family. And one day we will all meet again......thank you love

DKPD

September 7, 2006

Thank you for your sacrifice. It will never be forgotten!
Rest in peace brother.

MacDonald
KPD/ SRT UNIT

September 2, 2006

Step,
it's still so very hard to believe it has been over a month since you left us, and we all still miss you just as much as if it was yesterday.
It is just as hard to come to this site and see all the angels in blue who have given the ultimate sacrifice since you and before you.
rest well brother

a friend

September 1, 2006

Just stopped by to say hi, and to wish you a Happy Birthday. We all miss you, but know that you are still with us.

MPO M. D. Roe
DeKalb Co. Police Dept.

August 31, 2006

Sir, I honor your service and your sacrifice. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

Daniel
Citizen

August 29, 2006

A Poem for Step

I was sitting home on that faithful day
When I walked by my TV to turn the volume down,
That is when I read the heart stopping banner
“Dekalb County Officer Down”.

I called everyone I know was working
To get the entire plot,
But it was my girlfriend who called and told me
“Step had been shot”.

I remembered the last time I saw you
When the T.R.T. team got gassed,
And now I could not believe such a
Wonderful, outstanding, motivated officer had passed.

As I sat there thinking about the legend
Of the great Det. Step,
My eyes began to water with tears
And I broke down openly wept.

You gave the ultimate sacrifice
For the job we all love so true,
I just hope one day in the future
I could be as good as you.

I know God has a job for you
On one of Heaven’s special teams,
Because God does not make mistakes
No matter how bad the lost seems.

So it is with understanding that I say goodbye
To a true legend of D.K.P.D
Because we lost a very good officer
But God just gained a very good Angel named
Dennis Carmen Stepnowski.

May God Bless You And Your Family

MPO F.R. Garner
Dekalb County Police Department

August 25, 2006

Step,

You came out on alot of my calls while I was working on morning watch as a rookie. When I first saw you my eyes got big and I was saying to myself, " this is a big guy who does not play". I thank you for that because I took on your attitude which is about business and no play.
You will ALWAYS be missed but never forgotten.
We Love You from DKPD Family
North Precinct

MPO
DKPD

August 24, 2006