Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Mayer,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Will County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 16, 2023

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

July 16, 2020

On this day 37 years ago my younger brother Steve Mayer was brutally taken from our lives. He is missed by all who knew him. I am so very proud of you. Rest in peace little brother. I love you.

Peggy Mayer Smith
Sister

July 16, 2020

Rest in peace brother. You will forever be remembered as a sheepdog!

Detective Sergeant Jeremy Sims
Matteson, IL PD

October 7, 2019

Deputy Mayer's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 2-5-18 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
Richton Park Police (IL)

February 5, 2018

Steve,

Thank you for having my fathers back.

May God bless you and all that you love.

Tom Foley

Son of Officer Foley

August 3, 2013

I read your story tonight and I was moved. You and your brave sergeant continued to try to save innocent lives despite being wounded and will always be remembered as heroes. I admire your bravery and dedication and you have my deepest respect. It's men like you that make this such an honorable profession. I am proud of you and your sergeant and will remember you in my prayers. Job well done my brother, rest easy. Honore Semper.

Herb Fernandez
Detention Corporal
Midland County Sheriff's Office TX
Senior Honor Guard Member

July 16, 2013

Rest in Peace, Auxiliary Deputy Mayer. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 29, 2013

Thank you for your service Sir, RIP

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

July 16, 2012

Deputy Mayer, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

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

September 17, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the twenty-seventh 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.

Gov, Ryan is a disgraced governor and his disgrace is well-deserved.
Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 16, 2010

Deputy Steven Mayer,
At last I know of the story after your murder. May you continue to rest in peace. May you and your family know you will never be forgotten by others who had lived in the area.

Anonymous

June 11, 2010

DEP MAYER,
YOU WERE JUST BEGINING WHAT I'M SURE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY PRODUCTIVE CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. HAD YOU FOLLOWED IN YOUR FATHERS (DISCO) FOOT STEPS I'M SURE YOU WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOUR ALL TO SAFEGUARD THE CITIZENS OF WILL COUNTY. I CAN RECALL THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THIS INCIDENT AS IF IT JUST OCCURED.TO THIS DATE I STILL BECOME TEARY-EYED WHEN LOOKING BACK TO THAT JULY MORNING.
BOTH YOU STEVE, DENNIS AND THE "OLD MAN" YOUR DAD ARE ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS....... REST IN PEACE STEVE

INV. RICH WYNN, RETIRED
WILL COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPT.

April 30, 2010

As a former resident of Will County and friend to many former Will County Deputies and Sgt's I would like to say the memory of your service is not forgotten. I was on active duty in the Marines when this horrible incident happened. I hope the residents of Will County never forget your service.
Semper Fi.
Deputy Jeff Wolven Orange County(Ca) Sheriff's Dept.

Deputy Jeff Wolven
Orange County California Sheriffs' Dept.

March 30, 2010

Deputy Mayer,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow officer for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Will County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. It's a shame that the politician that commuted the death sentence of that animal didn't have nowhere near the backbone that you and partner had.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

August 17, 2009

"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 23, 2007

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Former MD Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

August 17, 2007

Sergeant Foley and Deputy Mayer:

May Your Souls Rest-In-Peace.

For you fellow historians: In 1983, Will County, Illinois, began to resmeble LA/Orange County,CA regarding highway-related murders (although the actual MO was quite different). Here in Southern California, we were still reeling from the "Freeway Murders," and preparing for the 1984 Olympics (which in 1980 were not held here due to the "Freeway Murders").

Eventually, Illinois officials arrested Milton Johnson, while he was attending required visitation related to his parole. At age 19 he was convicted of raping a Joliet woman, torturing his victim with a cigarette lighter in the process. The charge of rape carried a sentence of 25 to 35 years in prison, with a consecutive term of five to ten years added on to the conviction for burglary. Even with "good behavior," he should have remained imprisoned until April 1986. However, he was released in March of 1983.

If Illinois investigators are correct, Johnson being released early would eventually cost at least ten people, their lives and caused understandable paranoia and justifiable fear amongst Will County residents.

Although he was finally convicted for some of the murders and he did receive the Death Penalty, his sentence was commuted as were all other Illinois Death Penalty sentences, by the Governor of Illinois, prior to leaving office....

Semper Fi,
"Major Pain"

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

July 16, 2007

Sir, 'Thank you 'is not sufficient for what you have done but until the day when a better phrase can be found, inadequate though a simple thank you is, it will have to do do.G-d's Blessings on you and ALL Law Enforcement Officers.

July 16, 2006

God Bless. thank You for your service. We have the watch now.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department