Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Step, I am glad that I knew not only the officer but you as a friend. I will always cherrish the times we had together and will NEVER forget you. I will miss you.

MPO F.V. Cusimano
Dekalb Police/S.W.A.T and FRIEND

July 5, 2006

We did not know one another, but as a fellow brother it has brought great sadness when I herd of you giving the ultimate sacrifice to protect those you chose to serve. I want you to know that you did not go in vain. Your fellow brothers will continue and finish the job that was started. So rest in peace my brother, and please watch over the rest of us.

Deputy Charles "Cookie" Cook 992
Newton County S.O.

July 5, 2006

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. -Albert Pine

Detective Stepnowski -- The sacrifice you made for your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Detective Stepnowski -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

July 5, 2006

Hero's never die; They just take on a new assignment.

GOD Bless you and your family.

Rest in Peace my brother.

Officer Paladino
Colorado Springs PD

July 5, 2006

My Big Brother Step,

The one and only FTO that I had when I joined the Dekalb County Police Department from another agency. You taught me so much and I am grateful for it. You've watched my back on several ocassions and also took pride in being there for anyone that needed you. I followed you from South uniform to the Narcotics/Strike Force office only a few months after you left. You are indeed a wonderful person and it is indeed an honor to have known you. I will miss you deeply and I'll never forget you or that funny laugh.
Love your Sister,
T.

Det. T. Mullner
Dekalb County Police Department

July 5, 2006

Step, I pray that you will continue always to be the guardian angel for your brothers in blue. They could not ask for a better one.

Samantha Fink
Friend

July 5, 2006

Step,
We started in '94. Your academy (the 47th) was right behind mine. We trained together and started at Center Precinct together. Throughout the years we have grown as veterans, you were always outgoing, professional, and the ultimate "Pro-active Officer" we all wish to be. I will definitely miss you. We will try to hold down the fort in your spirit, my brother. Peace to you and your family.

Det. D. Kitchen, #1672
Dekalb Police

July 5, 2006

Although I never had the pleasure of knowing you personally, I mourn your loss all the same. Law enforcement is not a community. It is a family. Rest in peace brother, and God speed.

Senior Parole Officer Glenn Brown
State Parole Board

July 5, 2006

Step,

It seemed like only yesterday when you began your career with Dekalb PD.... I distinctly remember our conversation one night at my house.

You were so excited about being a cop. You were going a 100mph. I was amazed at how "high energy" you were....and for me to say that is significant due to the fact I have been accused of that myself from time to time.

You were dumbfounded when I told you that I was entertaining leaving law enforcement, which I eventually did a couple of years later.

You wanted to know why?....How could I leave such a great job?....My response to you was that I was just tired....tired of it all. I was loosing my edge...my professionalism....I just needed a change. I told you that if you ever felt that way too, you needed to get out.

Well, you never got that feeling..

After I left the depatment, I followed your career. You had some of the same early problems that I did but you kept driving on becoming a well respected and "tough officer"...It is the ultimate compliment when other officers are talking in their secret circles and they tell each other..." Man, I am glad Step has my back".

Over the next 10 years, I saw you every now and then. You never lost your enthusiasm.You were just as excited the last time I saw you as you were up at the house. You truly loved the job.

I am sorry that it all ended the way it did....But brother, you were hard as nails until the very end. You sent that perp where he need to go.

Take care of yourself and God bless you.

Captain Bruce F. Koshkin
Dekalb County Fire Rescue (former Dekalb PD SWAT)

July 5, 2006

godspeed my brother, watch over the rest of us now. your sacrifice will never be forgotten. i will pray for your family during this difficult time.

K-9 OFFICER J.L. VANCE
LEAKE S.O.

July 5, 2006

I never met "Step" face to face, but I've dispatched him. I really hate to see this happen to a man that is loved by so many; a man who did not deserve to be separated from his family and friends by another human. It says a lot about him when you see several police officers break down in tears uncontrollably, not only because an officer was taken, but because someone they didn't even realize they loved so much has been taken. Step, Im sure that you can see from above all the love that "is" here for you. I don't use the term "was" because true love never dissapates. We love you and we miss you. We also thank you because you gave freely and you asked for nothing in return. Continue to be blessed and know that you are always with us because you are still one of us. From all that I have heard of you, everyone should strive to be the type of person you have been for 33 years.

Radio
Dekalb County Police Dept

July 5, 2006

Sweet "D",

Loved you always, will love you forever.
...'I'll see you there!

450

July 4, 2006

To the family : While I did not have the privilege of knowing Det. Stepnowski I knew many like him and his loss was a loss to us all. He was obviously well liked and a fine officer. You can be justly proud of him and all he accomplished. His memory will never be forgotten by those who served with him. God Bless you all.

F.D. Hand Jr
Director Dekalb Cty.Pub. Saftey (Ret.)

July 4, 2006

As a prosecutor we work with law enforcment and only see a small part of the drama, danger and frustration of your jobs. We often become engrossed in "our case" and forget to thank you. So I thank you now, and all your hundreds of brothers and sisters in law enforcement, for protecting justice, and for protecting us. Thank you for your supreme sacrifice, you are the definition of a hero.

Sabrina Nizam
Assistant D.A

July 4, 2006

God bless you and your family and your friends and fellow officers. R.I.P

Sgt Paul Ulrich
Swiss Army, MP Service, Traffic Unit

July 4, 2006

Step,
See you at the final roll call...
You were a great friend...
A great officer...
You will not be forgotten...
Rest in Peace...
I can't believe you're gone....

V. Hieber
DeKalb County Sheriff's Department

July 4, 2006

To the family of Detective Stepnowski, my condolenses. My brother William "Drew" Henley died in the line of duty in March of 2005. Unfortunatley, I understand the pain and devestation the family and police family of Detective Stepnowski must be going through. Please know that you are not and will not ever be alone. I have learned from my brother's death that the police family is a tight one and we most always remember these fallen heroes. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very trying time, and please know that Detective Stepnowski will always be a hero among all of us.

Elizabeth
Sister of Fallen Officer

July 4, 2006

Step I can still remember the first time we met I was fresh out of the academy and trying to get home cause I was late for work you came up to the car looked in and asked where do you work after i told you. all you said was slow down rookie "yes sir " and off you went. after that i saw you here and there. but I was never more happy than one night I was at a hotel and something didn't seem right I began to key up for back up when your car pulled in and you got out and asked is everything alright. A sigh of relief come over me that day because you are a Guardian Angel. But now since your body is no longer with us we need your guardian angel spirit even more . so look down on us and keep us safe. but remember be proud to walk the beats of heaven because you more than put in your time in HELL

JR
DKPD

July 4, 2006

god bless to thefamily, friends and co-workers of Detective Stepnoxski. Thank you for your service, RIP.

mjw643

July 4, 2006

I know Dennis Stepnowski personally since 2002. It is tragic loss in the law enforcement family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fellow officers with DeKalb County P.D.
May God bless you and heal your broken hearts.

Col. Tomas Vaclavik
Polcie of Czech republic

July 4, 2006

I learned of Step's death through a fellow officer. Although I did not know Step personally, from the fellow officers' respect she had for Step, it is quite obvious Step was the kind of officer that I would go through a door with, and not have any qualms about him not having my back. He was obviously a cops cop, which is I think is the highest honor any officer can bestow on another.

Please accept my condolences for your loss. Your grief is shared by all officers worldwide. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 4:7.

Captain Barry Clark
Oklahoma City Police Department

Captain Barry Clark
Oklahoma City Police Department

July 4, 2006

Your at rest my Brother. Your job is done here on earth. May God bless you.

Patrolman Jeff Schwartz
Lombard, IL. Police Department

July 4, 2006

Officer Stepnowski was a great officer. Alot of times this is said about officers and it seems like the thing to say. But with "STEP" this is true. He came to work every day ready to work. I think if he could he would arrest people in his sleep. He loved his job and although I worked with him for a shor time during my stay in Narcotics he left a lasting memory on me.
Thanks "STEP" for what you do. Many people talk the talk, but very few will "walk the walk."

Det. T.L. Wortham
Dekalb County Police

July 4, 2006

Thank you for your dedication and hard work. I regret never getting the chance to meet you. This job requires us to be the jack of all trades and the master of none. As a young officer I look up to people like you and model myself in your image. To your wife, God will ease your pain. Do not lose Faith. He is the same, yesterday tomorrow and forever.

Officer E.K. Jackson
Decatur PD

July 4, 2006

Even though I only met Step once while working the morning watch on Buford Hwy, I had heard his name prior to and was fully aware of the larger than life personna that he exhibited. His reputation certainly preceeded him!
Step certainly displayed the attitude and dedication that we all long for in this line of work.... the 'hunger'. It was very apparent from the moment I met him, and it was certainly an ispiration for me as a rookie officer to attempt to emulate!
My condolences to the family -- he was a fine son, husband, and police officer.
I know the streets of gold are guarded well with him there....
Semper Fi warrior!

Joe Tribble
Dekalb County Police (former)

July 4, 2006