Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

January 30, 2021

I was in 7th grade living with my grandmother Joyce Rice in Powell County. We lived up a small country road from Sheriff Steve Bennett and my grandmother watched his young son little Steve everyday for about 2 years before this happened and after. Steve had just remarried he had lived alone for many years and was a very hard worker. he kept his home and lawn in tip top condition. Such a great guy. On the morning of his murder he pulled in the drive way at our home. I was getting ready for school waiting on the bus. He dropped his son off and that morning he brought my grandmother a large gift basket and thanked her for everything she did. Earlier that day in school classes were dismissed at about 1:00 or so and my aunt picked us up. The guy Ralf Baze that shot Steve was on the run with a gun. He eventually turned himself in to a sheriffs home in a county over. We attended the Funeral which was held at our High School. AS we approached it was a scene like nothing I had ever seen before. Thousands of uniformed officers standing from several states as fare as California had arrived to pay respect. The high School gym was standing room only. Afterwards Steve's wife Rose assumed his duties as Sheriff. Her son Steve was so fragile afterwards. I Recall many times him being at our house, asking my grandmother when his dad would come back to pick him up. Little Steve was always precious in my grandmothers heart. She watched him grow up without a father and an Uncle both lost by this man.

S. Rice
Friend and Neighbor

July 26, 2014

Finally managed to locate your name on the eastern wall at the National Police Officer's memorial in Washington DC.

Dave

June 2, 2012

Another true hero that fell but shall never be forgotten. RIP Sir.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

January 30, 2012

Thank you for your courage and ultimate sacrifice. You will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

SGT Mark B. Hanna, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

January 30, 2010

Sheriff Bennett, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

January 30, 2010

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them. You are a true hero and have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 29, 2010

To the family and friends of Sheriff Steve Bennett and his fellow officers:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to pay honor to Steve's memory on the seventeenth anniversary of the day Steve was brutally murdered. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

May you be continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. We grieve for you and with you. Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot in April of 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish you are still experiencing.

Please know that the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement and police survivors will always be by your side on each step of the journey. I am glad the vicious murderer who took your life got the death sentence, and I hope it is carried out soon.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of service Steve gave to his community and the citizens of Kentucky, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on January 30, 1992.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

Anonymous

January 31, 2009

God bless you Steve,

A hero you shall remain for all time.

Matthew 5:9

An Ohio brother
Montgomery Co. Ohio

January 8, 2009

Rest In Peace Brother
I read this today and I must say... THANK GOD FOR JUSTICE

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky death row inmate convicted of killing a sheriff and a deputy trying to arrest him has lost an appeal before the state Supreme Court.

Kentucky's high court ruled Wednesday that Ralph Baze's trial, which took place in Rowan County, was held in the proper place. The 1992 crime was committed in Powell County, but the trial was moved to Rowan County.

OHIO COP
OHIO COP

November 26, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 27, 2008

God Bless you, Sheriff Bennett. I know you are looking down on your loved ones from a beautiful place in heaven. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

RDS Kelly Gulich
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, VA

January 7, 2008

Your story aired on our local news tonight, and the fact that your killer was still alive in prison was the focus. What bothered us the most was that he is so arrogant, not at all sorry for what he did or remorseful for the pain he caused your family. I want them to know that we care, and hope that justice will be served. But we also know, no matter what happens in this life, he will face his ultimate judgement when he meets his Maker. No justice we could impart will match that, and we just have to have peace with that knowledge.
Thank you, Sheriff Bennett, for your service, dedication and sacrifice. May God bless those you left behind.

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

January 6, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 30, 2007

sheriff bennett, i finally thought all of this was over for your family. their was an execution date set for this month for the one who took your life. the governor now feels that he must have an extension. i grive for yoyr family. my heart breaks for them. every time i drive through powell county i say a prayer fore you and yours. god bless you and god bless your family.

kimberly kidwell
daughter of fallen stanford ky officer gary kidwell

September 27, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this anniversary. Fifteen years have passed but you have not been forgotten. I hope the individual that was responsible for all the broken hearts and spoiled dreams was finally made to pay for all the pain he caused. Keep watch over your loved ones, you are a true hero and heroes never die. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 30, 2007

Sheriff Bennett, you will never be forgotten. Thank you for serving. R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
EPSO (Colorado)

January 30, 2007

AT THE TIME OF THE TRADEY.I WAS LIVING IN LEXINGTON KY.WHEN THE STATIONS ON TV STARTED SHOWING WHAT WAS GOING ON MY HEART BROKE.I CRIED SO HARD.I HAVE TALKED TO OUR SHERIFF SO MANY TIMES.IM ORIGNALLY FROM NADA ITS IN POWELL COUNTY.IN FACT MY BOYFRIEND NOW IS MR.BRISCOES 1ST COUSIN.STEVE WAS A VERY GOOD MAN.AS FAR AS MR.BRISCOE I NEVER KNEW HIM.BUT I DO KNOW HIS FAMILY WHOM ARE GREAT PEOPLE.WHEN WE LOST THEM WE LOST A PART OF OUR HEART.

November 26, 2005

My name is Kimberly Kidwell. My father was Stanford, KY Officer Gary Kidwell, who was killed in the line of duty one year and nine days prior to Sheriff Bennett. I remember thinking how his family must have felt. It is so hard to understand how your loved one can be taken away from you, protecting his community, family, and friends. My family and I drove 2 hours to attend the memorial service for Sheriff Bennett. It was hard, it brought back the terrible pain my family had suffered. I remember looking at his wife, Rose. My heart broke for her. Not only did she lose her husband in this tragedy, she also lost a brother. 11 years later, you, your loved ones you left behind are still in my thoughts. God bless you, Sheriff Briscoe. I will remember you and the sacrifice you made for as long as I live. Thank you.

Kimberly Kidwell