Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I saw the reflection that Detective Stepnoski left at "Officer Down" for Officer Eric J Verteramo on 28 Nov 2004.

In it, he stated, "I am just sorry that you had to pay the ultimate price. I hope your death does not go forgotten."


Neither of you will be forgotten.


Detective Dennis "Step" Stepnowski, a member of the department's SWAT unit, had been with the DeKalb force about 12 years (having joined DeKalb in 1994). He was previously a sheriff's deputy in metro Atlanta.

Detective Stepnowski was a member of the team sent from DeKalb to help with security for the G8 conference in June 2004 when members of the world's leading economic powers met for three days on Sea Island, off the Georgia coast.

God be with this family, comfort them during the rough days and nights ahead. Let them know that they do not stand alone. They are surrounded by love and the power of prayer.


Rachal

Rachal

June 30, 2006

Detective Stepnowski,
Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers. Rest Easy Brother!

Officers Paul and Amy Sperandeo
Westwego and Gretna Police Depts, La

June 30, 2006

My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Every department in this nation feels a sense of loss when one of our own does not come home. God be with you.

Deputy M. Gregoire
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department, GA.

Deputy Gregoire
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Dept.

June 30, 2006

Dennis we met shortly after my relocation here to Georgia from yes Schenectady NY. Meeting you helped to ease my feelings of homesick. Your words were inspirational and I will remember all of our conversations. Your infectious smile brightened an unsure world and I felt safe just knowing you were out there protecting it for us. You not only touched my life, inspired me to pursue my dreams you gave me hope and a big shoulder to lean on. It has been years since we have chatted but I will never forget you. You are one of a kind and the world will never be the same without you in it. My sincere condolances and heart felt sympathies go out to your wife and your family. Rest in peace ~

Dori L. Rock
Friend

June 30, 2006

Our hearts go out the the family, friends, co-workers and all thier families. Unfortunately we have gone through the same horrible loss as you all have and understand the pain that you are feeling. May God bless you during this time of mourning. Keep close with each other, you will only too soon know how difficult this will be for the months to come. Remember to show each other patience, comfort and love. Time will not heal these wounds, but will only ease the pain.
Det. Stepnowski fought his battle to the finish. An Officer to the end, a hero to all. Many blessings to everyone of you.

Tanya Duarte
Wife of a LEO Douglas AZ

June 30, 2006

Most people thank the military for protecting this country. They salute them, honor them and praise them for going to war to protect our country. What everyone tends to forget is that while they fight the war overseas, the police officers of this country fight the war AT HOME. We need the military to fight the war overseas, but this country could not survive without our police officers donning their uniforms every day and fighting the war at home. Let's honor our servicemen who have died while in Iraq, but also remember to honor our police officers who died fighting the war at home. So, thank you Detective Stepnowski, for fighting the warat home for 10 years and helping to keep our country safe. May you rest in peace, your brothers and sisters have the watch now. I also want to thank your family for sharing their hero with us and making him our hero too!!! G-d bless

Faith Gollob
Former Chesapeake Police Officer

June 30, 2006

I am a former Dekalb County Police Officer, Badge #2020. Detective Stepnowski was the first Officer I ever rode with during the academy. I was immediately impressed with his motivation for police work as well as his professionalism.

During my ride with Step, I used every opportunity to pick his brain as he was some what of a folk hero to all of us in the 58th academy. We had heard the story of how he pulled another officer out of a burning patrol car, saving his life. If you were a motivated young police officer in Dekalb county, you wanted to be Step.

During the time that I was with Dekalb County Police Dept. I was fortunate enough to work with Step several times. I was able to see what a hard charging police officer was in the flesh. He was a supercop to me. So when I was later given the nickname of "baby-step" by one of his closest friends and partners, Chris Dowdy, I took it as the ultimate compliment.

To sum it up, Step embodied what a police officer should be. On 06-29-2006, the law Enforcement community lost one of its best. I will miss and always remember, "Step."

Officer Robert Adams
Boca Raton Police Dept. Florida

June 30, 2006

May you rest in peace my brother.

Depyty Cost
Fulton Country Sheriff Office

June 30, 2006

A POLICEMAN'S PRAYER
BROTHER WHEN YOU WEEP FOR ME REMEMBER THAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
LAY ME DOWN AND WHEN YOU LEAVE REMEMBER I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE...IN EVERY DARK AND DREARY ALLEY I'LL BE THERE AS YOU SLOWLY TREAD, ON EVERY STREET CORNER IN THE DRIVING SNOW I'LL HOLD YOUR COAT AND YOU WILL KNOW.
IN PLACES WHERE THE DEVIL IS AFRAID TO WALK...
AT DOORS WHERE YOU MEET RESISTANCE...
IN HOUSES WHERE CHILDREN HIDE...
YOU KNOW I'LL BE AT YOUR SIDE.
THE PLACE FROM WHICH I NOW RESPOND IS OVERSTAFFED WITH HEROES GONE...MEN WHO ANSWERED ONE LAST JOB AND DID IT WELL.
AS POLICEMEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A CARD DEALT IN OUR HAND...A CARD WE HOPE WE NEVER PLAY BUT WE HOLD IT THERE ANYWAY.
THE CARD IS SOMETHING WE IGNORE AS WE STAND ON THAT THIN BLUE LINE EVERY TOUR...FOR WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PRAYER FOR MANY OUT THERE.
SO REMEMBER, AS YOU WIPE YOUR TEARS, THE JOY I HAVE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE YEARS...AS THE JOB I LOVED TO DO I PRAY THAT THIS THOUGHT WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Detective John Halligan
Philadelphia Police Department

June 30, 2006

May God Bless your family. He has taken a good man. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family & dept that you so proudly worked for. Never Let Them Walk Alone

Cobb County Officers Wife

June 30, 2006

Det. Stepnowski your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Care now . May you rest in peace brother.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee

June 30, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother

Wisconsin LEO

June 30, 2006

To an American hero,, may you now find peace. My prayers go out to the Friends,family and co-workers of Detective Stepnowski

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Police,Tx

June 30, 2006

To Detective Stenowski family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you

God Bless you

Terry Miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD, Fl 11/6/86

June 30, 2006

I rode with Step on Southside when I worked for DeKalb. He was a great officer and an incredible man. So many memories to hold on to tight. God Bless Step and his family. We love you brother, thanks for everything..
Roll Call in Heaven he's called to attend,
Those Legions of Angles, those Guardians of Men...
Will sound the high trumpet and round him descend,
To honor this man who lived to defend.

Ofc Gabrel Loyd
Lawrenceville Police Dept

June 30, 2006

Det. Stepnowski on behalf of the men and women of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office we would like to express our condolences to you family and friends. You are a hero and you die like a hero, doing the the job you love day in and day out. You did it becuase you loved it and wanted to protect the people of DeKalb County everyday. Thank you for you sevice you will never be forgotten sir. Rest In Peace.

Deputy
Terrebonne Parish S.O. Houma, La

June 30, 2006

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

June 30, 2006

You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, brother.

Dan Lair
Lufkin PD

June 30, 2006

Sincere prayers to the family, love ones and the DeKalb County Police Dept.

Lt. E. Glover
MARTA POLICE (Atlanta Ga.)

June 30, 2006

Rest in peace my brother. May god bless your family in this tragic time and may they find comfort in knowing that you gave all for what you believed in. As has been said many many times, It's not how they lived that makes them hero's, but how they died. I will forever be grateful for your sacrafice.

KY Chief

June 30, 2006

Rest in peace Detective; you have served your people well. We will take it from here. May God bless your family and co-workers in this time of grief. The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Massachusetts State Police are with you this day and forever

Lt. Dean Bennett
Massachusetts State Police

June 30, 2006

Its never easy to face the loss of someone especially when they are good people.May you Rest in Peace and may Our Lord hold all your loved ones, friends and brother/sister officers safe in the palm of His Hand.

June 30, 2006

Det D.C. Stepnowski left a very moving message to a fellow fallen officer back in Nov. 2004 (http://www.odmp.org/reflections.php?oid=17278&printview=1&page=1). This says so much about what a tremendous person he was and how he himself mourned the loss of a fellow officer. He will be truly missed.

John Greenway
Citizen in mourning

June 30, 2006

Rest in peace brother, we will take it from here!

Victorella

June 30, 2006