Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Steve,
I left law enforcement for awhile and recently returned to patrol. You were the first person I saw at the precinct when I returned. Your words that evening meant and still mean a lot to me. Your death has made me realize that I made the right choice to come back. Rest in peace. You sent a message to us all that this is more than a job.

Jon Holland
KCSO Deputy

December 9, 2006

Steve-
I attended the remarkable service today in your honor. It just doesn't seem fair for you to have been taken at this point in your life. Though we never formally met, it's as if you touched my life without even being directly a part of it. I just couldn't believe all the things, people of all walks of life had to say to reflect about their experiences with you. In all the pictures I've seen of you, you were the gleaming focal point that appeared to be the heart of the moment. A person that everyone was attracted to. I've tried thinking of another officer I know, that could even come close to being the level of officer that you were. . .and I can't come up with anybody. At first I thought all the nicknames given to you were just something the news media threw out there for attention - but they were all completely, perfectly, fitting of you.

I will never forget the legacy you left and will keep it with me everyday. I hope that in my career I can acomplish 1/10th of what you did. I will pray for your family and friends. GOD bless you brother! Certainly He has great plans for you!

Deputy
King County Sheriff's Office

December 8, 2006

Deputy Cox,
Though I did not know you I will always remember the stories I heard today about how you loved your family, lived your life and the relentless energy you put into helping others. You have set the example for the rest of us LEO's to follow my brother. I will pray for you and your family. Go with God.

Officer S. Wyrsch
US Forest Service-Enforcement

December 8, 2006

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

December 8, 2006

Dear Steve,

Although we have never met, I thank you for you heroic service and your steadfast call to duty. You will be remembered and honored for your life of service and commitment. My heart breaks that your family will now have to walk such a difficult road but you are safe and God's glory.

To Steve's family,

I pray that you lean on our Lord and allow him to wrap you in his embrace and grace. Although this road is difficult and filled with such saddness, please know there are many of us already travelling it and will reach out a helping hand.

To my brothers and sisters of King County Sheriff's Office,

Thank you for your kindness that you showed my entrie family in August of 2003 as we faced the same overwhelming loss of my cousin, my friend, my brother, Officer Patrick Maher, EOW:8/2/03.

May God Bless us all.

Sgt. Mary Huggins
Orange County Sheriff's office, Orlando, FL

December 8, 2006

To Deputy Steve Cox

Thank you for your dedicated service. You will be missed by your family, friends, and all members of the police department family. No words I can say will easy your family's pain as I have found. We are praying for you and your family.

Brother of PO Jeremy Chambers 101
E.O.W. 04-24-2006

PO Chris Chambers
St Louis County Police Dept Mo

December 8, 2006

Officer Cox and Family,

Thank you for you dedication and love for your work. You obviously were loved by many. I have family in law enforcement and appreciate every member of the police force. To your family I give my condolences and will pray for them. I know you will be an angle to watch over your little one. Rest in peace Officer Cox.

December 8, 2006

Steve,
I am glad you found what was important before your passing; family. To have enjoyed that time, even the short time, with your wife and children makes everything arbitrary.

Thank you for your dedication and sense of humor, you are truly a hero.

Angie

December 8, 2006

We live in West Seattle and shop quite often in White Center. H&R Block, HangHang Market, McLendon's and other spots nearby are quite familiar to us. We are very sorry to hear of this incident. My wife is quite active in the community and I sometimes volunteer my time with her to make a contribution. Our condolences then to Officer Cox's family, friends and fellow officers. I'm sure he will be sorely missed. Sincerely, Rex & Rose Long.

Rex & Rose Long
AFTRA-SAG Talent Unions & Neighborhood Housing-Highpoint

December 8, 2006

Maria, your superman will always be a hero to me and to the citizens of Washington. May you and your son forever be blessed with the support of the law enforcement family. Take comfort in knowing Steve will never be forgotten. It is not his death that makes him a hero, but how he lived his life and dedicated himself to his job.

Blessed be the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

December 8, 2006

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the King County Sheriff's Office.

Fallen but never forgotten.

Officer B. Laurie
Haltom City Police, Tx

December 8, 2006

Steve,
You were the hardest working deputy I have ever known. There is no way for us to know how many crimes you prevented by arresting a bad guy and taking him off the street for a night or two, or merely by your presence in White Center. I know that if we had a way to quantify your crime prevention, the number would be astonishing. To me, that is your legacy: White Center was a better place because of you.
As a detective, I received many of your arrests for follow-up work. And there were many. When you filled up my in-box, I used to think, "Great, more Cox cases for follow-up." I wish I could come to work tomorrow and find a fresh stack of cases from you.
Your presence in the Center was just as powerful. Working in plain clothes, I vividly recall the time I heard one thug say to another on the street, "We gotta get outa here. I just saw Cox drive by."
The community will miss you dearly, but not as much as the rest of your friends, partners, and I will.
RT Smith

Detective RT Smith
KCSO

December 8, 2006

Inspiring, humbling and proud are the first thoughts that come to mind when I think of the work you have done. Even more amazing is the impact and change that continues because you were a catalyst in so many ways for so many people. Protecting a community is one of the most difficult forms of service as well as the most rewarding. You gave of yourself tirelessly guiding others, teaching and leading by example. You honored your community in life. you will be honored in death. You leave a legacy that crosses all barriers, one of which forever be a challenge to others to give their best as you always have.

00221

Retired
KCSO

December 8, 2006

Steve, From my heart, you are truely one of the finest Deputies I have ever known. Your compassion with the people of the community you served and protected is unsurpassed. Your position will be filled but you can never be replaced. I will miss you, but a part of you will always be with me. Go with God, and one day we will see each other again. Godspeed my friend.

Deputy Thomas Shute
King Co. S. O.

December 7, 2006

I never had the opprotunity to meet Steve. I saw him at a recent award ceremony and picked him out as one who carried himself as a serious street officer. I pointed him out to my son, a King Co Dep and my opinion was affirmed!
Go with God Steve. Thank you for a job well done!

David J. Keller-Sgt. -Retired
Orange Co. Sheriffs Dept

December 7, 2006

Deputy Cox - as someone who lived for ten years in White Center & whose family grew up in that area - thank you. All I have heard & read about you is amazing. You were a hero. Your sacrifice will not be for vain - the entire community will not forget. Your murder will remain in our memories forever. Our thoughts & prayers are with your wife, child, family, friends & brothers in uniform.

Civilian
Seattle Police Department

December 7, 2006

A Bushido Warrior who lives forever in our hearts and minds

Sergeant Mike Starrett
King County Sheriff

December 7, 2006

Steve helped me catch quite a few really bad people over the years. He never put me off. Anytime I would see Steve he would ask me about my family and I his. I'll miss him. My heart goes out to his wife and family.

Detective D.Keller
King County Sheriff

December 7, 2006

Deputy Cox, KCSO, family and friends,

God bless you all. RIP Brother, we will take it from here.
I wish to share something I read long ago that always reminds me that those we love who pass on are always with us. I'm sorry to say that I can't remember who wrote it.

“When you feel lost my love, the world seems dark and you’re in despair, I’ll send you a star of the deepest gold…to let you know I’m there.”

Seattle Police Officer
Seattle PD

December 7, 2006

Dear Steve, once a King in White Center always a King. And now you are a King in a better place. I won't keep you talking, I know you have work to do. Your humble servant.

Deputy E. Garske #4
King County Sheriff

December 7, 2006

Steve, we worked together for 9 years, I sat on your FTO boards, when you were new and your FTO's always said that you had an "endless drive"

We worked patrol together when you got on your own and you always, responded to see who the "players" were, keeping up with the nieghborhood.

When we worked the DEA/MET task force with Seattle, you new all the players and pointed them out. We took down 70+ bad guy's thanks to you, that made a difference.

You made a difference, everyone wanted to know what you knew, if we were looking for someone we would "call Steve", and you would point us in a direction.

You made a difference from the front always leading.
You were the cop that we all wanted watching after our families, if we couldn't.

Now it's our turn to watch after yours...You made a difference, and you will be missed.

Detective Paul Mulligan
KCSO

December 7, 2006

Steve, I have had the honor of working as your dispatcher and working with you on patrol for a short time. I have nothing but respect for the work you have done for your community and the care you have for your fellow officers. You will not be forgotten, I41, not by your police family, nor by your community. Your hard work and dedication offered a safer community for your neighbors to live in, and your care and support even helped some people turn their lives around. You, Steve, are a true hero, and you will be missed.

Communications Supervisor Tara Murker
King County Sheriff's Office

December 7, 2006

I cannot think of any other officer for whom criminals - the very people he helped put in jail - would come to pay their respects. Whether it's by signing on this page, showing up to the memorial at the White Center Store Front, or calling the Comm Center to express their grief. While I never had the opportunity to know you, it's clear that everyone you met, everyone you touched, respected you. Even those you put away.

I'm sure everyone at the comm center has taken at least one call from a citizen who, in mid call, broke into tears once he or she realized they were speaking to KSCO - their problems were suddenly no longer a concern - all they could do was cry and apologize for "the loss of Deputy Cox." I was initially surprised when I heard a caller say, "I knew him. He arrested me several times, and I'm so sorry he's gone. He was a great officer and a great man." But now, after reading so many of these reflections, I'm no longer surprised. Everyone respected you - even "the bad guys."

All of King County suffered an excruciating loss the morning your life was taken; and everyone, no matter their level of familiarity, is hurting because of it.

Deputy Cox, it's clear that your brothers and sisters in uniform and on the street miss you greatly -- but know that your brothers and sisters behind the phones and on the radios miss you as well. We truly lost one of our greats.

Rest in Peace, I41... Our thoughts and immeasurable condolences go out to your family...

10-7

911 Call Receiver (one of many)
King County Sheriff's Office

December 7, 2006

It is always hard to lose a Brother.
But, rest easy now in God's hand your watch is over.
We'll always honor your courage, We will now take up the watch for you. My prayers to your family.
We walk a path most will never understand.

B. Rister Officer & Ranger
Colorado Dept. of Corrections & Colorado Mounted Rangers

December 7, 2006

Steve,

I rode with you during Zero Week of FTO and worked with you over the past 4 years. I have never known anyone, anywhere with greater conviction than you. I hold you in the highest regard.

Sincerely,
Malcolm J. Elliott

Standing on that stage
You’d tell us what you've been feeling.
Before you started to fade
You gave us something to believe in
And that's the best thing that anyone can give.

And you're wrapped in my memory like chains
Though you’re only a memory for now
I can't wait until we see each other again.
We will, my friend, see each other again.

Deputy Malcolm J. Elliott
King County Sheriff's Office

December 7, 2006