Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your courage....REST IN PEACE

Lisa Manning
Mccomb Police Dept

July 1, 2006

Thank you for your courage....REST IN PEACE

Lisa Manning
Mccomb Police Dept

July 1, 2006

Rest in peace, brother.

Officer R. Law

July 1, 2006

God speed brother, you've made the biggest sacrifice any of us can. May God bless your family and take care of your wife in this time of sorrow.

Fellow Officer
Atlanta Police Department

July 1, 2006

With God, you are now at rest brother. Detective Stepnowski, 10-42.

Police Officer Scott Parker # 603
Covington, Texas Police Department

July 1, 2006

Words come difficult when a BROTHER in blue is taken from us.......

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of GOD" (Matt 5:9)

"Greater love has no man than this, that he is willing to lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)

May GOD bless the family of Officer Stepnowski, friends, and the DeKalb County, Georgia Police Department.

Senior Officer D.W.Reichhardt
VSUPD (Chesterfield, Va.)

July 1, 2006

Officer Stepnowski was a Sheepdog and lived out his dream being a Police Officer Godbless his family and department. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God"

Officer
Richardson PD

July 1, 2006

Godspeed Officer Stepnowski. Your life and loss will never be forgotten. May God watch over you family, friends, and co-workers during this dark time.

Detective D. Thompson
Colorado Springs Police Department

July 1, 2006

To Officer Stepnowski family, friends, and the DeKalb County Police Department; I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Officer Stepnowski for all your years of service. A job well done, I salute you. You are a true HERO! May your soul rest in peace.
Respect. Honor. Remember.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

July 1, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother. May God Bless Your Family and May You Watch Over All of Us As We Continue The Fight! Your Sacrifice Will Not Be Forgotten. You Served Well, Now Guard The Gates of Heaven and Guide Us, While Keeping Us Safe and Alert. May God Bless Every MOS. “Fidelis Ad Mortem”

PO
NORWICH P.D. , CT

July 1, 2006

A policeman is a composite of what all men are... a mingling of saint and sinners... dust and deity. Cold statistics wave the fan over the stinkers...underscore instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are news.
What that REALLY means is they are exceptional, unusual - not commonplace. Buried under the froth is the fact that less than one half of one percent of policemen misfit that uniform. And that's a better average than among clergymen.

What is a policeman made of. He of all men is at one the most needed and the most unwanted... a strangely nameless creature who is "sir" to his face... and "pig" to his back.

He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals... so that each will think he won... But if the policeman is neat, he's a flirt. If he's not, he's a grouch.

In an instant he must make decisions which require months for a lawyer. But if he hurries, he's careless. If he's deliberate, he's lazy. He must be first to an accident... infallible with a diagnosis... he must be able to start breathing, stop bleeding, tie splints and above all be sure the victim goes home without a limp, or expect to be sued.

The police officer must know every gun... draw on the run... and hit where it doesn't hurt. He must be able to whip two men his size and half his age....without damaging his uniform and without being brutal. If you hit him, he's a coward. If he hits you, he's a bully.

A policeman must know everything and not tell. He must know where all the sin is and not partake.

The policeman must, from a single human hair, be able to describe the crime, the weapon and the criminal.. and tell you where the criminal is hiding. But if he catches the criminal he's lucky... if he doesn't he's a dunce. If he gets promoted he has political pull. If he doesn't he's a dullard.

The policeman must chase bum leads to a dead end and stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen, but refused to remember.

He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache to build a case against some felon who will get dealed out by a shameless shamus or an honorable who isn't.

A policeman must be a minister... social worker... a diplomat... a tough guy... and a gentleman.

And of course he will have to be a genius... for he will have to feed a family on a policeman's salary.

Sgt. Andy Norris
Tuscaloos Alabama Sheriff's Office(Former DeKalb Officer 1987-1996)

July 1, 2006

Rest easy brother the Watch is now ours.My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and your brothers at the Dekalb County Police Department.

Sgt. M A Cash
Henry County Police Department

June 30, 2006

May God Bless this family and keep them in there time of need.

tamekia
st louis, mo

June 30, 2006

Detective Stepnowski, the loss felt by your brothers and sisters cannot come close to the loss felt by your wife, but we feel it, even those, like myself who never met you. We're family.

To the Dekalb County Police Dept. and mostly to Mrs. Stepnowski, my heart goes out to you and you will be in my prayers. Dennis has not really left you and you will feel his presence from time to time.

God Bless Detective Stepnowski and may he Rest In Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

June 30, 2006

I remember reading your reflection you left for a friend of mine Ofc. Eric Vertaramo of the Schenectady Police department. Now I read that you have passed on protecting the citizens of DeKalb County. You have paid the ultimate price rest in peace brother.

Ofc Joseph Glasser
Schenectady County Sheriff Honor Guard

June 30, 2006

Go with God now warrior brother - Be at peace mate.

My most sincere condolences to family, friends and co- workers.

Godbless you Sir.

Senior Constable
South Australia Police

June 30, 2006

A pure tragedy that you should meet with such an ugly end of a beautiful life. Carry on, protect, comfort, hope - it is in your nature. Our hearts are with you always, our brother.

E. A.
West Valley PD, Utah

June 30, 2006

I am just so sad that Officer Dennis was killed in the line of duty. My daughter lives in DeKalb County and I am so grateful to the officers who protect her and her family and everyone else. Itis because of officers of the caliber of Officer Dennis that I can feel that my daughter and husband and precious little ones are safe in their home and neighborhood.

When I read the article that the AJC e-mailed this evening I was moved to write a note of gratitude for Officer Dennis. My condolences and prayers go to his family in this time of sorrow. And thanks for giving Officer Dennis the freedom to pursue his dream, and for supporting him in his career. We so need policemen like Officer Dennis. Thank you for your bravery, Officer Dennis Stepnowski.

Amy P. a citizen
New Orleans LA

June 30, 2006

I met "Step" seven years ago when he provided security where I worked. Not only was he a tough, smart police officer - he was also funny and pretty shy.
Thank you for your courage. Thank you for keeping us safe.
From reading the other reflections, it is obvious that you touched many lives - you will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
God Bless you and the family that is left behind.

Gerri
Georgia

June 30, 2006

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with your family and department. I know the pain all too well and it hurts every time I see a new name on this page. I know you are in good company in heaven...my Daddy is there! Thank you for all you did here; rest now that your work is done, knowing you gave your all. Keep watch over those you left behind...keep the "thin blue line" safe!

Lori Johnson Rowley, wife of LEO
Daughter of Sgt. James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04, FCSO, NC

June 30, 2006

How do you say good bye to a hero? What words can express thanks for being an inspiration or the pain of our loss? Those of us who knew Step realize that we have lost one of our finest. A true believer who never let the red tape or politics change his motivation or work ethic. He was liked and respected by all who knew him. His exploits are the things poice legends are made of. My prayers are with his wife and parents. The fact that he died a warrior's death is not surprising. However, that fact offers little consolation in this time of loss. We would all much rather have him here than memorialize him as a hero. John 15:13 tells us that "Geater love has no man than this, that he is willing to lay down his life for his friends " Step had that love for his fellow officers. He displayed it and made the ultimate sacrifice. A true warrior who will not be forgotten by his brothers, Step was a better officer than many can ever hope to be. What a loving God we must serve, to ensure that men like Step are given to us. For without such men, such giants, willing to walk towards the sounds of the guns, within a single generation we would surely be both damned and doomed. Rest in peace brother. May God's angels usher you into His Presence. May He give us the stregnth to uphold your memory with honor until we meet again onthe other side.

a Fellow Officer
DKPD

June 30, 2006

You are a true hero to us all and we will never forget you for your sacrifice. May God bless you and your family always.

Doug Eatherton
St. Louis City Police

June 30, 2006

I believe God has a special place in heaven for police officers. And you are there tonight. Your life and service will not be forgotten. Many prayers to Mrs. Stepnowski and family. God Bless you.

Decatur PD Wife

June 30, 2006

REST IN PEACE BROTHER! MAY GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND THE DEKALB COUNTY POLICE DEPT.

FULTON COUNTY POLICE S.W.A.T. TEAM
FULTON COUNTY POLICE DEPT.

June 30, 2006

Thank you for your herrorism and service to your community. You are a hero and will not be forgotten.

Police Officer
Fairfax City PD (Virginia)

June 30, 2006