Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Missed but not forgotten. Prayers with your family and friends.

Officer Logan Harris
Kilgore P.D.

July 20, 2006

Warrior!

Chief Deputy Thomas R. McClelland
Roberts County Sheriff

July 20, 2006

Dennis,
As your sister you have been my hero for many years, long befor you even became a police officer. Sure we had our moments like all siblings do.You probably didnt know how much I looked up to you and admired you. I always kept that a secret and now I have to live the rest of my life knowing that I never told you. I sure learned a hard lesson. Tell people how you feel cause tomorrow may never come. You were always the strong one in the family and took care of mom and dad. Now I have to step in but im afraid your shoes are going to be very hard to fill.I am so greatful that in the last few months of your passing we became much closer, You seemed to always know what time I took lunch and called. I am so thankful that you were able to play w/ your nephews on fathers day. They will always know you as a hero. I love you D, You will never be forgotten. Thank you for all the wonderful memories.

Brandy Hitchcock
Dennis sister

July 20, 2006

ALWAYS REMEMBERED//WILL NEVER FORGOTTEN

AS RADIO OPERATORS WE GROW TO KNOW OUR OFFICERS. WE RECOGNIZE THEIR VOICE AND ANTICIPATE THEIR NEXT MOVE. IT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO LOSE AN OFFICER. STEP, THE SACRIFICE THAT YOU MADE, THE LEGACY YOU LEFT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE WAY YOU USED TO COME OVER THE AIR AND SAY "RADIO, HOLD ME OUT ON A........",WILL BE MISSED. I WAS 10-42 ON THAT DAY. I SAT IN FRONT OF THE TV AND TURNED ON SCAN DEKALB TO LISTEN FOR UPDATES. IN TOTAL DISBELIEF. THINKING TO MYSELF NOT DEKALB, NOT ONE OF OUR OWN. I CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY (IMMEDIATE AND DEKALB). FOR IN MY HEART I BELIEVE YOU ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE. YOU ARE A HERO TO US AND TO THE FAMILY WHO LOST THEIR LOVED ONE TO THE GUNMAN IN NEW ORLEANS.

REST IN PEACE....STEP

RADIO

RADIO
DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS

July 20, 2006

MAN IN BLUE
If you ever can look into the eyes of a man dressed in blue,
It will make you wonder why he protects you and me.
He suffers from lack of sleep, the red eyes will tell,
Even missing a meal or two to keep us all well.
Years of tears sometimes built up inside, From what he has seen,
But thinks he hides. Look a little deeper in his eyes and you could even see,
How he felt all the years he has protected you and me.
For all the times people have been rude to him,
For pulling them over, while out with their friends.
For the little girl he saved from a burning car,
While others just watched him from afar.
Not to mention, the bank robber he caught last week,
People never talk to him unless its his help they seek.
For the drugs he has confiscated over time,
The people, he has saved comes to his mind.
The times he wonders at the end of the day,
Is it worth all this pain, for such little pay?
But, dont look unless you are willing to see,
He is a human being just like you and me.
He wears his uniform, gun and a badge on his chest,
Doesnt make him perfect, just a grade above the rest.
For if you look real hard you will also see,
A man who you respect is who he longs to be.


Rest in peace brother.

Deputy Andrew K. Altman
Brantley County Sheriff's Office - GA

July 20, 2006

I didn't know him but it's sad when this happens. Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Lawrence
Hoboken P.D./ Georgia

July 19, 2006

Your family will never understand why this happened. Your sacrifice was the ULTIMATE!!! Your bravery will never be forgotten and HERO'S LIVE FOREVER!!! May your family find peace.

Sharon Atkins, Identical Twin Sister of Norfolk, VA officer
Sheila Herring killed in the line of duty 01-16-2003

Sharon Atkins

July 18, 2006

Dennis you fought the good fight with honor, rest in peace brother.

Sgt Ron Buchholz
Sandoval County Sheriff Rio Rancho NM.

July 18, 2006

I heard the story of your shooting from one of your brother officers, and I am so sorry for you and your family. You are in a better place, and I hope that helps your folks deal with the death of their son. Thank you, Officer Stepnowski for getting out there and putting yourself on the line to make your community safer. I am thankful you and your partner were able to send the SOB who shot you to his ultimate judgment. Enjoy the peace of heaven while you wait to see your loved ones again.

sergeant
An Ohio PD

July 18, 2006

Detective, you are a true hero, hunter, and an inspiration

Deputy C. Johnson
SBSD

July 18, 2006

The thoughts of all officers from Grampian Police are with the Stepnowski family and that of his coleagues in the DeKalb County PD

Constable Glen Erskine
Grampian Police, SCOTLAND

July 17, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother. May God Bless you and your family.

Patrolman

July 17, 2006

Detective Stepnowski is a true hero. Without his actions a murderer could have killed an another person.

My prayers are with you and your family.

Police Officer Steven J. Patrick

July 16, 2006

Another Officer down
A Hero to us all
Doing the job you loved
You took the ultimate fall

Your Brothers and Sisters are weeping
Along with your family and friends
A young life taken so quickly
But your memory never will end

Fellow officers wipe away tears
Square their shoulders and go to work
They push on through their grief and mourning
To protect us from the evils that lurk

But always in our thoughts and prayers
Will you and your family be
Your brothers have taken over your watch
So now you can rest easily

Karisa Wallace
Lilburn Police Department, Georgia

July 15, 2006

Peace be with you always...

Mrs. Natalie Jensen
wife of Detective Jared Jensen EOW 2/22/06

July 15, 2006

rest east brother,we will take the watch from here

Fairfax County Dispatcher

July 14, 2006

I just want to send prayers to this fallen hero's family. I have someone I have been dating in law enforcement for two and a half years and everyday I pray for his safety. Always remember the phrase "gone but never forgotten" as you long as you remember that he will never been forgotten. Hold on and walk with God for he will always guide you through.

A Grateful Citizen

Citizen

July 14, 2006

As a radio operator we get to know our units voices, personalities and work ethic but never really get to know our units as real people. I recall disptaching Step but it wasn't until this unfortunate incident that I really was able to know who Step was as a person. Over the last few weeks I have come to know a person who was full of life, a true friend to all, and a dynamite officer. I regret getting to know Step for these things so late.

On the night Step went 10-42 I felt a void in my heart. An operator's worst nightmare is for someone to get into a situation they can't go home from. Each and every officer holds a place in each operator's heart and when that piece is taken out a void is left. As a part of the Dekalb Police family you left a void but the thoughts and memories of you will help that void to fill and allow us to carry on strong as ever. Step, you will truely be missed but never forgotten.

Radio Operator
Dekalb Police Department

July 14, 2006

YOU ARE A TRUE AMERICAN HERO, YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER WE'LL TAKE OVER FROM HERE.

PTL. N. GIARDONO
SCHENECTADY PD . SCHDY NY

July 12, 2006

Hero!

Tim Schaffer, Retired

July 11, 2006

I received a call from my son from the hospital the night Step passed away asking for our prayers for his family. He truly admired Step and as a rookie officer a few years ago said that Step always was "in their corner" helping them to become good cops. He was doing a ridealong that night - was close by when they heard the call and went to the scene and on to the hospital. I want Step's family to know that as a mother of someone who wanted to be a police officer since he was a child - he has reached his goal and Step was instrumental in making his dream come true. Thank you!

Patricia Ridgeway
Mother (and future mother-in-law!) of two DKPD officers

July 11, 2006

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING STEP'S FIRST FTO. HE CAME TO CENTER PRECINCT AND MADE IMPRESSIONS RAPIDLY. I HAD TOLD MANY PEOPLE THAT STEP CAME OUT OF THE BOX LIKE A ROCKET, AND NEVER SLOWED DOWN. HE WAS SUCH A PLEASURE TO TRAIN, I HAVE KNOWN FEW WITH THE ENERGY AND THIRST FOR THE JOB.

STEP WAS SO EASY TO KNOW AND LIKE, WITH A WARM SMILE AND PERSONALITY TO MATCH. HE MADE FRIENDS WHERE EVER HE WOULD GO. TRUE ENOUGH, HE RAISED SOME EYEBROWS TOO. I THINK EVERY COMMANDER WAS JUST A BIT WORRIED WHEN HE FOUND STEP ASSIGNED TO HIS COMMAND. BUT JUST AS QUICKLY, HIS FEARS WOULD GO AWAY WHEN HE DISCOVERED WHAT KIND OF OFFICER STEP TRULY WAS.

EVEN THOUGH I RETIRED IN 2000, I STILL FELT CLOSE TO THOSE IN MY DEPARTMENT, AND EVEN CLOSER TO SOME. HAVING HELPED IN THE TRAINING OF STEP WHEN HE STARTED, I REGARD HIM AS ONE OF MY SONS. THE ACCOLADES HE HAS RECEIVED OVER HIS SHORTENED CAREER HAVE MADE ME PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF HIS BEGINNING.

I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT I FEEL, BUT I KNOW EVERYONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDERSTANDS THIS.

TO HIS FAMILY.....THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO KNOW AND LOVE THIS MAN WHO BECAME A PART OF OUR FAMILY AS WELL.

TO STEP.....THANK YOU BROTHER, WE CANNOT SAY ENOUGH. WE WILL CARRY ON FOR YOU KNOWING YOU HAVE OUR BACK.



RUSS VERMILLION #835...DKPD RETIRED

MPO RUSS VERMILLION
DKPD (STEP'S FIRST FTO)

July 11, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Detective Stepnowski. Keep this hero's memory alive forever. His ultimate sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Invest. Mike Bradford (Ret)
Tallahassee (Fl) Police

July 11, 2006

It is very obvious what an incredible person you were by reading the reflections of you. I work with many officers just like you and they are loved very much. I can only imagine what your family, friends, and co workers are going through. For them I would like to say on those tough days, let go let god and remember tomorrow is a new day.

To you Detective Dennis Stepnowski, I can tell your light is going so shine bright for your agency, family and your friends forever. Thank you for 12 years of service and for all of the souls you have touched. God bless you sir.

Largo Police Department, FL

July 10, 2006

Every week I look at my partners site, his EOW is 9-15-05,and then I look at the recent post. I wish to express my felling's of sorrow to the Family Friends and Co- Workers of this fine officer. Words cannot take the pain away but know that we will pray for each and every officer on this site and the ones close to them. God be with you at this time.

Constable Charles Clack
Precinct 1 Polk County Texas

July 10, 2006