Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Brother, you have taken your last breath,your weapon lies beside you and the approaching sirens have faded into a calm silence. In an instant you feel a gentle breeze on your face, its a bright new day, the trumpets are sounding,you have worked your last night shift ,this time you are strapping on the armor of God almighty.You will no longer hurt,fear or even shed a tear for you are at Gods Throne knowing only love. Brother, you served your land well,be proud!, your brothers and sisteers in blue will see you soon!

Rest in peace!

Lieutenant William R.Smith
Asheville,NC Airport Police

July 3, 2006

My heartfelt sympathy to each family member. You will be in my prayers for healing for your great loss.
My father and husband were both in law enforcement and I have the utmost appreciation and respect for our officers and the dangers they face each day trying to protect the law abiding citizens.
J.Lynch

Just a citizen who cares

July 3, 2006

Although we have never met, I feel the loss anytime an officeris down.God speed and my thought and prayers are with you and yourfamily.
Michele Gue
Covington, Georgia

Michele Gue
Citizen

July 3, 2006

GOD BLESS THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE DEKALB COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DOUGLAS COUNTY S/O GA
DOUGLAS COUNTY S/O GA

July 3, 2006

GOD PEACE AND GOD GRACE.

GILBERT DANIEL

July 3, 2006

I am sorry for loss. Our thought and prayers are with you and your family.

Jeff Carey
Friend

July 3, 2006

While it is no consolation for your loss, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Stepnowski.

While I did not have the privilege to have known him personally, I am certain that he has found a place in heaven through his selfless service to those he swore to protect.

Rest in peace my friend; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Officer Ryan McNeil
Medicine Lodge, KS Police Department

July 3, 2006

Step,
We have many memories of working out with you at the gym. I can see you now, sitting at the leg press. You will truly be missed. Rest in peace.

Friends
Gwinnett PD

July 3, 2006

Dennis, I only heard of you through Karen. She talked of you as a guardian angel on this earth, and now you will be missed for the contributions you made to your fellow man. Thank you for your sacrifice - I can only hope that each of us will live to honor and appreciate your life.

Kip Cochran
Known through a friend...

July 3, 2006

You did your job well, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

July 3, 2006

I watched the news & read the paper to follow your story. Today, I just happened to approach I-285 W at the very time of your funeral procession. My two young children were in the car with me and were in awe of all the police cars going by. I knew at once the sad reality of where they all were going. As we sat & watched the procession, I explained to them in the best terms I could what was happening and that you were a brave and courageous police officer who died in the line of duty. My eyes welled up with tears.

On some days my 4 year-old son wants to be a police officer and other days he wants to be Batman or Superman. As we talked about you, he said he was afraid to die. I told him that dying is a part of life and that we all must die some day. I also told him that I think you died fearlessly doing what you believe in and doing what you love. That your bravery, strong will and love for your work, along with countless other officers like you, is what keeps people and families like ours safe. For that I want to say THANK YOU.

I never knew you, but I will not forget you. Your wife & family are in our prayers. Rest in peace.

Amanda Heilbron
Citizen, DeKalb County

July 3, 2006

I am a resident of DeKalb County and owe this officer and hundreds of others a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU for all the work they do. EVERY.SINGLE.DAY you are out there putting your life on the line for people like my self and although words can never get the job done, they do help. My sympathy goes out to Officer Stepnowski's family and if my post on here does nothing, I hope it reminds you that a police officer's work does NOT go unnoticed, especially not a dedicated one like he seems to have been. Having an Aunt and 4 Uncles who are a part of NYPD, I can only imagine your loss . . . May God bless you always.

Ms. Duncan

July 3, 2006

No words can truly express the loss we feel, you will be missed.

Rest in Peace "Step"

DKPD- Operatoer
DKPD- Communications

July 3, 2006

I thank you for the many years of protection that you have provided for Georgia and the country. This country is great because of men and women like you. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers. I will continue to keep them in my prayers.

Mother-In-Law
Marietta Police Dept

July 3, 2006

Rest easy now my brother. You have done your job well and your time on earth will not be forgotten. Your heavenly body will only know love and peace. We will continue to do your work. God bless my brother. until we meet at the gates......

Trooper
Kansas Highway Patrol

July 3, 2006

Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You,may You Find Comfort In The Special Memories And the Love,May You Find Strength In The Lord. We Will Pray For You Kellie,The Family,And His Colleages.Rest in Peace Fallen Hero..

Gin
Proud Wife Of Hall County Firefighter

July 3, 2006

May the Peace of God rest in your wife and family. I will never forget that your life was taken. Thank you for protecting our community in such a way we will or can never repay. May you sit on high with our savior and protect from above.

With Respect,

Shay G

Shay Guillory
Dekalb Citizen

July 3, 2006

My condolences to the Stepnowski family. I am very sorrowful for the loss. In so many ways I feel we are all family. Particularly, when I sons, brothers, sisters, husband choose the life of Law Enforcement. I have two brothers with DeKalb Police and they knew Officer Stepnowski and thought very highly of him.

My prayers will be with the family as they continue to deal with the sudden loss.

God Bless.

Carol Guthrie-Browning
Dekalb residence

July 3, 2006

Dennis, I am grateful to have you as a dear friend. To your family may God bless you. I will miss you.

Joey Fowler
Friend

July 3, 2006

Kellie,
How man times since you introduced me to Step have I used him as an example of what a cop should be. You are in my thoughts and prayers. He was a hero, and so are you.
God Bless and keep you,
Jim

Jim Vann
friend

July 3, 2006

To the family of Officer Stepnowki,

As I am writing this his funeral is taking place. My heart goes out to you. It was a little over three years ago that I lost my husband in the line of duty. Oh how my life and so many others were forever changed. I wish that I could bring back Dennis as I wish the same for my husband. Unfortunately, I cannot. I do want you to know that it is a long road but somehow as survivors, we make it. The strength comes from them. Your life will never be the same but you will have life again someday. Again, I am sorry for your loss.

Paula Land
Widow of fallen officer Sgt. David Land

July 3, 2006

To Mrs. Stepnowski and the family and friends of Ofc Stepnowski, may God be with you and comfort you....

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

P. White
wife of Sgt. M. White DKPD

July 3, 2006

Officer Stepnowski, you made the ultimate sacrifice to take a murderer off the streets. He will never again hurt another person thanks to you. I am proud to share the title of police officer with you. Your family, department, and community should be extremely proud as well.
God bless you sir. You and your family are in my prayers.

Officer
Phoenix PD

July 3, 2006

Officer Stepnowski..you - your family - friends & co-workers are in my thoughts & prayers during this difficult time..please watch over them & your fellow brothers/sisters in blue..YOU ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN..REST IN PEACE & WITH EASE BLUE ANGEL!!!!

mi state police recruit
mi

July 3, 2006

Step,
You were an FTO for several of my academy classmates when we were rookies.
From the first time I met you, I knew that you were the type of officer I needed to pattern myself after. You were one of the most tactically sound, no-nonsense officers I had ever seen, and I never saw you back down from anyone. At the same time, you never backed down from an opportunity to guide a new officer in the right direction.
We didn't know each other well, but you will never know how much you and other officers like you shaped me into the type of officer I tried to be when I was on patrol.
God's eternal blessings to you and your family. You will never be forgotten.

MPO H.J. Grangent, Jr./#2249
DeKalb County Police Deprtment

July 3, 2006