Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer William Steven Whalen of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 48 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

March 22, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Whalen.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2021

I remember as a young teen, lived on Wayne Ave, his procession passing by. There must have been a 1000 cop cars. It seemed like it took forever. RIP Officer Whalen.

Dustin Lamb
Former Dayton citizen

November 11, 2019

Many years have gone by since the terrible sad time of hearing of the murder of Officer Steve Whalen, a true man of God. Steve was my in-law's neighbor in Dayton. Everyone admired him. His parents were the best and raised the best. He would let my kids sit in the back of his cop car with the lights on, with an occasional blare of the siren. They loved it! Everytime I make it home back to Dayton and drive through the old neighborhood and see the street sign bearing his name, I think of Steve and all his good works. He would be the first to say, "To God be the glory." RIP dear Hero.

Peggy Reeser (Hardigree)
former Dayton citizen

August 25, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer William Steven Whalen of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 43 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

March 22, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Whalen. A Buckeye police hero forever!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 10, 2019

I’m a citizen of Dayton and have seen the road named after him many, many times over the years. Tonight, finally, I decided to find out who Steve Whalen was, what happened to him, and why he was so important in our community. Just reading all of these reflections brought tears to my eyes. He sounds like a wonderful person and police officer, was loved by many and taken way too soon. It was my pleasure to learn more about this Dayton icon. He and his family will be in my thoughts and I can now tell my children what a role model and hero he was- passing his story to the next generation.

Dayton citizen

May 10, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Police Officer William Steven Whalen of the Dayton Police Department, Ohio and the additional 42 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

March 22, 2018

My name is Aaron Manning, and my mother was engaged to Steve shortly before his untimely death. My brother and I knew Steve from a young age as we attended Baptist Temple school where he volunteered his time when he was not on duty. After Steve and my mother became involved, Steve would spend all of his free time with us, and would always do something fun. We loved hanging out with him.
Even after all of these years, I think if Steve every day. He was such a kind and loving man, always taking time to do something for someone else. I miss him dearly and think of him fondly.
I will never forget what he meant to us and how he affected our lives. He was truly a great man, and he is still in our hearts.

Aaron Manning

April 6, 2017

26 years ago today....I still miss you.

Anonymous

March 22, 2017

Dear Officer Whalen,
I will always remember you kindness & since of humor. Oh and thank you for giving me a ride home when you would see me at the bus stop. I often wonder what my neighbors thought when they would see me being let out of the back of a police car.

Anne Phillips
City of Dayton

March 23, 2016

25 years and I will never forget Officer Whalen's sacrifice to the community.

Citizen

March 23, 2016

I remember Steve with a fond smile. I spoke to him every church service that he was able to attend due to his work schedule. Even after 25 years, I can hear his deep baritone voice and that soulful laugh of his. A good man and a great police officer that was taken all to soon. I think Steve would be surprised at the impact that he has made on so many lives during his lifetime and even after his life ended so senselessly on that street, doing what he loved. I remember calling the hospital to check on him that morning and the nurse asking who I was, I told her a friend, she told me "I'm sorry but Officer Whalen passed away a short time ago." The loss that I felt at that moment has never gone away.

I used to drive 35 to school at TCS/DBT twice a day, always on the look out for Steve. Knowing, that if he caught me, he wouldn't hesitate to give me a speeding ticket. All of us in high school would say that "Steve, would write his own mother a ticket if he caught her speeding." It was always said with fondness but with truth because Steve took his job seriously, we knew it and respected him for it.

I know that at least two boys that I went to school with are now DPD officers. I am pretty sure that Steve might have been a mentor without even knowing it. You were special Steve, the church, the community, family and friends all new this. You are gone but you are not forgotten.

Sandee Ray (Phipps)
Friend

March 22, 2016

You will never be forgotten brother, you will live on forever in our hearts.

Police Officer Jason B
Dayton PD

March 22, 2016

RIP Steve. A true gentleman who stood up and faced evil. You are well remembered and missed.

Lt.
Dayton Police Department

March 22, 2016

I left Dayton to start the academy in Lexington, KY the day before, and I was unable to attend the funeral. I will never forget.

Officer Kevin Kelly (Ret)
Butler Township PD, Lexington PD

March 22, 2016

25 years have gone past since your sacrifice, you are still not forgotten.

Citizen

March 22, 2016

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 5, 2015

I remember Officer Whalen as the "Chicken Man." He and his partner would come into Famous Recipe Fried Chicken on Linden Ave. where I worked. He was such a nice man.

Sharon McClure Williams
Friend

February 28, 2013

Steve was a wonderful Christian Officer. God wanted him to patrol the streets of gold. He was very close friends with my brother who worked with him at DPD. A true hero in every sense of the word.

Officer Scott Roysdon
Miamisburg OH.PD

January 15, 2013

DPD Officer Steve Whalen was a very good friend for years before and after he became one of Dayton's finest in blue. Steve would drive some of the coolest cars, Vettes, Chevys with BB motors, Plymouth's, and more, yet always maintained temperment while driving. I remember vividly standing against the outside wall of the old Dayton Baptist Temple (DBT) waiting for services to begin talking about cars, police work, life. Steve was a mentor to many and influenced many lives, including mine. Dr. Lawrence mentioned in his reflection that he recalled Sgt. Mark Bowron mentioning Steve Whalen BLVD on his news traffic reports on WHIO TV and radio. I can tell you that Mark knew Steve Whalen like he knew me way back in the day, as Mark and his family were integral parts of the DBT. Steve Whalen and I were both surprized for several reasons when Mark came home from joining the AF Reserves as a Military Policeman and later when he joined DPD. Mark, Steve, Terry, myself and others all joined law enforcement out of the DBT.
Steve was so proud when he was hired by DPD and while he went through the academy we stood and talked, with his new shoulder holster and S&W we stood and talked. His deep voice and the gentle way he was, as so many stated, a cop's cop. I watched him get after the bad guys hard, doing his job well as he would drive by me. I mourned your loss of earthly life, but, I know as do some that I will see you in the eternal life we will share together. Brothers in Christ, brothers in blue, or in my case black shirt, brothers for all time...

Rest in Peace my ol' Friend,
Steve Burden, B.A., 1st Dan
Deputy Sheriff (retired)

Deputy Steve Burden, Retired
Personal Friend of Steve Whalen

January 5, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 19th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 22, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

March 22, 2010

I have always had utmost respect for police officers. Even with police half my age , it is still yes maam and yes sir. God Bless every true Police Officer and protect them and their families.

Steve Whalen (no relation)

February 16, 2010

I will never forget the night you lost your life in the line of duty. Thank you for being one of the heroes. Every time I pass by Steve Whalen Blvd., I remember your bravery.

Lori

October 21, 2009