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.

I wrote “Step Inside The Gate” for you.

The words aren’t perfect, neither am I. They’re just what I felt in my heart to say.

When you meet my husband (he’ll introduce himself to you), tell him I love him.. “Always.”

Step Inside The Gate

All of you know how I love to joke and play.

But when it comes to my job, I’m serious, just as I was last Thursday.

I was in pursuit when I heard the shots and knew a moment of alarm.

I shook my head as I fell, realizing I was hit, but felt no harm.

There was no pain, just a little sting, then a feeling of genuine peace.

I wasn’t worried because you guys were there. I heard you say, “Hold on Step” and “Hang in there”.. then came a strange release.

I have to admit it was a surprise when I opened my eyes and saw some guys I hadn’t met before.

I got to my feet and looked around and saw uniformed officers standing all across the floor.

A Captain said, “Welcome home, Step right over here. We’ve been waiting for you.”

If you can believe it, I was speechless for a minute or two!

I was shaking hands, introductions were made, there was joking all around.

Guys were talking about how they felt when each one of them had hit the ground.

I have to say it was a shock when I realized it was Heaven I was in.

I turned my head to look behind at the place where I had been.

I saw the tears, the broken hearts, the faces full of gloom.

I’m so sorry, I didn’t know my time would be up so soon.

I had so many plans, things I wanted to do, about fifty years worth.. to be truthful with you.

I want you all to know, I would not have left you willingly.

A man doesn’t think his earthly life will be over at the age of thirty-three.

I love you, you know that, I wish I’d had more time.

But don’t worry about me, I’m settling in. Everything’s going to be just fine.

When your time comes, I’ll grin and say, “Step Inside The Gate.”

Tho’ now we’re separated, you really don’t have long to wait.

Please don’t think I’m in the cemetery, beneath that old, cold sod.

The S.W.A.T. team here is escorting me, I’ll soon be face to face with God.

RLG

I have another Memorial Service tribute from our local NBC affiliate. You can view it here.

****UPDATE****
Due to heavier-than-expected traffic on our stream, it had to be taken down at approximately 8:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday to keep the server from crashing completely. We are getting our own permanent, dedicated server on Friday, so we should be back up and running shortly after that. Come visit us!

Wide Awakes Radio is set to launch the first-ever live, streaming, conservative talk radio on July 4th of this year. We are celebrating both the Independence of our country from the British Crown, as well as our Independence from mainstream media bias. To listen, all you have to do is log on to www.WideAwakesRadio.com. You will also be able to call in and debate with any of the on-air talents you’d like.

Still think that the “new media” has no merit? Just you wait and see. You can listen 24/7 to the broadcast, and here’s a list of some of the brightest and best of the conservative blogosphere. These are some of their bios.

About Kender
Basil
Cao
Dave & Glen on Total Kaos
Glen & Dave on Total Kaos
GM Roper
Gribbit
Hosts
Jake
John Stephenson
Justin H.
Kat
Kit and Heidi
Misha
Ms Underestimated
Pamela
Pot Fry
Ric Ottaiano
Rick Moran
Stacy Harp
Terry Dillard
Wild Bill

Stay tuned, and if you’re feeling brave, feel free to call in to 1-888-407-1776 (yes, even our number is patriotic - 4 July 1776) and jump into the fray! Oh, by the way… in case nobody warns you, you have NO Constitituional right to NOT be offended. Enjoy!

                                  

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.