As I logged on to the ODMP (Officer Down Memorial Page) to pay tribute to DeKalb Co. Det. Dennis “Step” Stepnowski, I couldn’t help but be astounded by the continuing of outporing of support for him… it went from 9 pages to 13 pages within the 10 minutes I was logged onto his reflections page to leave a personal “reflection” of my own. This is one of the most beautiful I found.

Step: As I stood by the casket and looked into your beautiful face, I thought I saw you smile. I almost expected you to open your eyes. I sensed you standing there.

Today I stood in the midst of hundreds of officers at the cemetery. I watched their faces, some were crying openly. Others clenched their jaws, their pain was evident to me.

It was like a replay of that day in January of 1999 when Robbie Bishop was taken from us.

Please say “Hello” to him for me. He was Captain of Villa Rica P.D. and just about the best drug interdiction officer, in my not so humble opinion.

I wrote “Called To Higher Duty” for him.

                                  

The memorial for my friend Step was today. Officers from all over the country, in fact some from Canada, came to pay their respects to Det. Dennis “Step” Stepnowski one last time. The funeral procession was reported to be eight miles long. If anybody deserved this honor, it was Step. The DeKalb Co. PD & SWAT Team lost one of their finest last Thursday, and we all lost a great human being. I’m posting a few pictures from the Memorial Service today, and a video below from the local newscast.

                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go rest now, Step… you’ve taught some very talented officers now and they’ve taken over the hard work for you. You are in the hands now of our Creator. Continue to watch over us here on this mortal plane, Step. We will always remember and love you.

Watch the memorial video here.

 

Please go to the Officer Down Memorial page and leave your condolences, thoughts for Step. You can find Step’s page here.