Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Dennard. Please know that your memory, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

NADIA E. DOMBROWSKI

May 5, 2024

Steve, going on also 38 years ago, I was working on the day we lost you. After losing some more friends, in Law Enforcement, I decided to look up this website. Sorry, it took me so long to find this. You have never been forgotten, just wanted you to know. Rest In Peace Dear Friend.

Lynda Edwards Premorel
Retired Correctional Officer II
Union Correctional Inst - 1980-1987
Mayo Correctional Inst- 1987-1990
St. Pete PRC -1991-1995

February 23, 2021

Thirty-seven years ago... You will never be forgotten brave officer. Always thinking of your family.

I.C. Kirkland
CLO, FDC

May 5, 2020

Rest in peace Sergeant Dennard.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 4, 2019

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

May 5, 2018

Correctional Officers Farewell
by Lt. Larry E. Peoples, Sr. (Ret.)

We all know it can happen,
When we put our Colors on.
It only takes an instant,
Then one of us is gone.

Day to day we walk our beat,
In God we put our faith.
'Cause we're the law inside the wall,
We keep the Public safe.

You've done the job that few can do,
Your shift is at an end.
Farewell my Brother, Rest in peace,
On you we could depend.

Lt. Larry Peoples, Sr. (Ret.)
Florida Department of Corrections

May 5, 2014

As we head to Tallahassee today in honor and memory of you and all fallen LEO's, may you know that you sir are not forgotten. We honored you in Lake Butler on Thursday and your sisters were there and the pain in their hearts is still so very strong as they miss you so much. Continue to rest in peace Sergeant Dennard...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

May 5, 2013

Rest in Peace, Sergeant Dennard. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

Sergeant Dennard, it has been almost 30 years since you gave the ultimate sacrifice, but you are not, and never will be, forgotten. You lived as a hero and are still a hero. Thank you so much for your service to the people of not only this Department but to the entire State of Florida.

Sergeant B. Wolgast
Florida Department of Corrections

January 7, 2012

STEVE,
THINKING OF YOU TODAY AND THOUGHT I WOULD FILL YOU IN ON WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING...AS IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW. UNION CORRECTIONAL FACILITY DEDICATED A MONUMENT IN YOUR HONOR. CAR LOADS OF YOUR FAMILY ATTENDED THIS DEDICATION. YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF THEM. WE PROMISED TO NEVER LET YOUR SACRIFICE GO UNNOTICED. MANY PEOPLE SPOKE ABOUT YOU AT THE DEDICATION AND SAID ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT YOU THAT WE ALREADY KNEW, BUT WERE THANKFUL. WE WITNESSED GROWN MEN CRY AT THE MEAR MENTION OF YOUR NAME. WE MET A GENTLEMAN WHO HELD YOUR HEAD AS THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TRIED TO SECURE YOU FOR TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL HOPING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE. THAT WAS NOT TO BE. THERE HAS BEEN MANY POSITIVE CHANGES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HERE IN FLORIDA. I KNOW THAT MANY OF THESE CHANGES WERE THE RESULT OF YOUR UNTIMATE SACRIFICE.....THINGS THAT YOU WERE SO BRAVELY FIGHTING FOR FOR YOUR FELLOW CO-WORKER'S SAFETY. THE SELFISH PART OF ME SO WISHES THAT IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY, BUT WE ARE N OT TO QUESTION GOD'S WILL. I MISS YOU STILL SO MUCH MY HEART IS BREAKING TODAY. THROUGH TEARS, I WRITE THIS WISHING THAT I COULD TALK TO YOU ONE MORE TIME AND LET YOU KNOW HOW VERY MUCH YOU MEAN TO THIS FAMILY. WE CONTINUE TO ATTEND ALL PAROLE HEARINGS FOR THE TWO THUGS THAT CAUSED THIS VIOLENCE. WE ARE TRAINING THE YOUNG FAMILY MEMBERS TO TAKE UP THE SWORD AND BATTLE SO THAT THESE TWO WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY IN THE LIFE TIME AND THAT NO OTHER FAMILY WILL HAVE TO ENDURE THIS HEART WRENCHING PAIN. BE AT PIECE UNCLE STEVE KNOWING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT YOU STARTED.

DEBRA NEWTON

July 30, 2011

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge - Proverbs 14:32.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi #1249
York Regional Police, Ontario Canada

May 5, 2011

My heart and prayers are with the Dennard family today and always. We will never forget your hero and the sacrifices that he and your entire family made. No matter how many years have passed, the pain in the hearts of those left behind is still so very strong, time does not heal the pain it only makes it easier to get up each day. Continue to rest in peace Sgt. Dennard..

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous

May 5, 2011

It's been a while since I talked to you. Wanted to let you know that I have been corresponding with your childhood buddy Joey Green on facebook. I sent him some pictures of you guys and Chris Frasier with your surfboards. He owns a surf shop now on Oahu. After you were killed, he went to Hawaii and never came back. He misses you like we do and says he wants to remember you like the last time he saw you. I plan to go see him this year sometime and I am sure you will be the topic of discussion. I miss you Steve more than words can say. I just want to talk to you and see your smiling face again. We are preparing for another parole hearing this month for one of the thugs that took your life, Leonard Bean. Watch over us and give us the words to say to convince the Parole Commissioners to keep this animal behind bars for the rest of his life. He will never know what he took from our family. Steve, you are a precious man and we will never forget you. We had a busload of family members go to the Titusville Police Memorial last year in your honor. You would have been so proud. But, knowing you, you would have said "Ya'll don't have to do that for me". We really do though. You were our knight in shining armor and always will be. We plan on having a big crowd of family going again this year to Titusville. Just wish we were going for reasons other than what we are. I would trade all the fun we have to have you back with us. I got a call from Col. Jerry Blaylock of UCI the other week. They are constructing a Memorial in your honor on the grounds of UCI. We will all be attending in your honor. The Officers there still remember you well after all these years and mourn for you still. Please give my Mom a big hug for me. I love and miss you dearly.

Your favorite niece,

Debbie Newton
Past President
Northeast Florida Concerns of Police Survivors

Debra Newton
niece

February 15, 2011

Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace Sergeant, and may GOD bless your family.

Sgt. G. T. Martin
Collier Co. S.O. (FL)

June 4, 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

May 5, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the and twenty-sixth 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 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

May 5, 2009

YOU ARE A HERO JUST BY THE PROFESSION YOU CHOSE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 6, 2008

25 yrs ago today you were taken from us, but you will never be forgotten! God Bless the Dennard family, friends and the FDC.

Ret PO
City of Miami PD Fla

May 5, 2008

Steve,
We just went to another Memorial for Bradford/Union/Starke. Once again, I ws able to talk to numberous Officers who knew you and worked with you back 25 years ago now. I can't believe you have been gone from my life that long. I miss you more than I can stand. I promise to never let your name and your mission be forgotten. I talked to Officer Burkett and he too has never forgotten you. He said he talked to you the day before you were killed. He was very emotional talking to me about you. He knew you as we did - a real hero who stood up for others - whatever the consequences.

I will continue fighting the battle in your name to make sure your mission is carried out. No other officer or family should have to go through this.

We continue to go to the parole hearings to make sure that the two individuals who were directly responsible for your death never see the light of day again. So far we have been successful.

Please watch over us a we travel to the other memorials for fallen officers the next few weeks.

I love you lots.

Your "favorite niece"

Debbie
Debra Newton
Immediate Past President
NEFL Concerns of Police Survivors

Debbie Newton
NEFL COPS Immediate Past President

May 2, 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

December 10, 2007

Twenty-four years and not forgotten. Rest in peace Sergeant. Keep watch over the thin blue line - it is getting thinner every day.

To Sergeant Dennard's family, friends and former coworkers - you are not alone in this day of remembering. His memory will always live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Wife of a Maryland officer

May 5, 2007

Steve,

It has been 24 years today that we got that call that you had been injured. I remember it as if it was yesterday. I remember asking my Mom if she wanted me to go with her and my other family members. She said no that you were probably just injured and would be okay. I had two babies at the time and she didn't want me to drag them out at night. I will never forget now going to the hospital that night. I never got to say goodbye to you. I continue to miss you more than my heart can take. I just went to a Memorial Service for Bradford/Union/Starke law enforcement officers. You were honored at this Memorial. I talked to a lot of officers that knew you and they told me what a fine man you were. I already knew that, but thanked them just the same. You were a prime example of what is right and decend in this world. You tried your best to make a difference. You are a hero. I am sure that you know that a lot of the things you tried to take care of are being handled in God's time. And only he knows why you had to make the ultimate sacrifice. I will see you in heaven. Save me a seat. Take care of my Mom til I get there.

Your "favorite" niece
Debbie

Debra Newton, President
NE FL Concerns of Police Survivors

May 5, 2007

Steve,
It has been a long time since we have been able to talk. I know you were my uncle, but because you were only 18 months older than me, I never thought of you that way. You were always just Steve. I miss you more than words can say. I wish that my kids and grandkids could have met you. I have just been made President of an awesome organization called COPS - Concerns of Police Survivors. I will never forget the way you were taken from us. You are a hero in every since of the word. I can't wait to see you again in heaven. Take care of my mom - your sister. I know you two are having a great time up there.

Debbie Newton
President, NE FL COPS

April 11, 2006

I never dreamed it would be me,
My name for all eternity,
Recorded here at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face.

"In the line of duty, " I hear them say:
My family now the price to pay.
My folded flag stained with their tears;
We only had those few short years.
The badge no longer on my chest,
I sleep now in eternal rest.
My sword I pass to those behind,
And pray they keep this thought in mind.

I never dreamed it would be me,
And with heavy heart and bended knee,
I ask for all here from the past:
Dear God, let my name be the last.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children OF GOD

Police Officer O. Dennard
Newark Police Department

June 26, 2004

Thank you for your service. rest in peace.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.

February 25, 2004