Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Step, we are already missing you. You were one of the hardest working Officers I ever had the honor to work beside. Your dedication to the job, friends and the citizens of Dekalb County will never be forgotten.

Our prayers are with you and your family, Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. C.D. Medlin
Dekalb County P.D.

June 30, 2006

Rest in Peace Blue angel. Yet again the Thing Blue Line is yet again thinner. My condolences to the family, friends, and Co-Workers. Stay strong, and always remember the memories of this very fine Detective. Those memories will help you through. Rest in Peace, Blue Angel, May you watch over you brothers and sister in blue here, protect and guide them, untill we see you again in heavens streets....

June 30, 2006

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.

June 30, 2006

Detective Stepnowski,

You served your department for 12 years with honor, courage, and integrity. Rest easy brother, we have the watch from here. My department's narcotics commander was taken from us in the same manner. It's good to know that there will be soldiers in heaven like you, watching down on your fellow officers.

Sincerely,
Deputy Darren Gros
St. John Parish Sheriff's Office (Louisiana)

Deputy Darren Gros
St. John Parish Sheriff's Office

June 30, 2006

Residents of Georgia stop and mourn today as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Detective Stepnowski. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service GA

June 30, 2006

Rest in Peace Detective. Your bravey will never be forgotten. Watch over us. You are a true hero.

Patrol Officer
Springfield, New Jersey Police

June 30, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother

Deputy Bennett
Henry County Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

June 30, 2006

I heard that you were a great officer and I know that you will be watching over us all. REST IN PEACE!!

Officer McCue
Senoia Police Department

June 30, 2006

Rest in Peace.

Mrs. Stepnowski, Dennis will not be forgotten and neither will you. You are in our prayers

Deputy Marc Ayers
Broome Co. Sheriffs Office - Binghamton NY

June 30, 2006

Thank you for being such an inspiration to all who knew you. Although I didn't know you, I worked at DKPD Communications Division in the 1980's, and anytime there is a Fallen Officer, it affects everyone.... Rest in peace Dennis....

DeLisa Day Brown
Former DKPD Communications Oper

June 30, 2006

You are truly an American hero. May god comfort your family during this difficult time. Rest in peace.

Special Agent Eric Blachman
U.S. Department of Justice-OIG

June 30, 2006

Another hero and brother has fallen.
Rest in Peace knowing we honor your sacrifice and understand the calling.
My prayers to you and for yoru family and friends, you were a shining light that was taken from us to soon. Godspeed Brother, your ultimate bravery sacrifice and courage will never be forgotten.
You walked the line, the thin blue line so others could live without fear May your reward be found and may you forever walk a beat in paradise.

Capt Mark Hoffman
Forsyth County Sheriiff's Office

June 30, 2006

You and your family will be in our prayers. God bless. You served well.

Detective Adam Romine
Colorado Springs Police Department

June 30, 2006

Semper Fi.

Capt. Tony Aderhold
Emory Healthcare Public Safety Dept.

June 30, 2006

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

Patrolman

June 30, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother. My deepest condolences to Mrs Stepnowski, Det. Stepnowski's Family, and the men and women
of the Dekalb County Police Department.

Off V.F. Agosto
Chesterfield County Police

June 30, 2006

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.GOD SPEED AND I HOPE I GET TO MEET YOU LATER TO PERSONALY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.I BELIVE GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR FALLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGANCY

SCDPS

June 30, 2006

Rest in peace my fellow Georgia Brother in blue. Now you can walk Heaven's beat and look down on us here. Your family, friends, and co-workers with the Dekalb County Police Department are in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless

Sr. Officer Johns
City of Sandy Springs Police Department, GA

June 30, 2006

I want to send my condolences to Officer Stepnowski's family and fellow officers. I lost a friend of mine in the DPD 4 years ago and it still feels like it happened just yesterday. I would like the family to know, it's never easy dealing with a tragedy like this, especially someone so young, but time will help to heal some of the pain. I want to thank all of those police officers out there for putting their life out on the line every day. I know people are rude to you and convicts don't care, but I want you to know, I love you guys and thank you with every part of my being for what you do. I know that people bad mouth you guys on a daily basis, but yet they don't hesitate to pick up that phone and call 911 when there in trouble. If I ever hear anyone bad mouthing cops, you can rest assure I speak up for you. Officer Stepnowski, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten. We may have lost a hero yesterday........but we gained an angel today. Know that Officer Stepnowski is watching over all of you guys and he is smiling down on you.

Rest in Peace.........

Lisa Niswonger

June 30, 2006

As a police officer living in DeKalb County I feel this loss both as a fellow officer and as a citizen whose family has been protected by Detective Stepnowski. God bless his family. God bless the warriors.

Sergeant Tom Patton
Alpharetta PD

June 30, 2006

My prayers and thoughts are with the family, friends and fellow officers of Detective Stepnowski. May God bless each and every one of you.

Ptl. Jeremy Benjamin
Easley Police Department, SC

Grandson of Tommy J. Fox
Lexington County Sheriffs Department
EOW: 08/22/1970

Ptl. Jeremy Benjamin
Easley Police Department, SC

June 30, 2006

Another young hero taken from us far too early. Thank you Detective Stepnowski for your service. May God comfort your wife, family and friends.

June 30, 2006

I'll see you in D.C. next year. Please watch over us as we do this dangerous job. You are my hero.

Officer
Reynoldsburg Police Dept. Reynoldsburg, Oh

June 30, 2006

Detective Stepnowski,
Your loyal service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotton. Rest easy brother. God Bless and Godspeed on your new journey.

Detective Stepnowski's family and friends,
My deepest sympathies for your tragic loss. I hope you can find peace in knowing that Dennis now walks with the Lord. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotton. He is and was a very great patriot. May God bless you and look after you in your time of need.

Patrolman Matthew Pine
Providence Police Department

June 30, 2006

All Give Some---Some Give All---Rest in peace my brother--
SGTHTN

SgtI (Ret)
Camden County Major Crimes NJ

June 30, 2006