Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Steven Albert Poetker

Waldo Police Department, Arkansas

End of Watch Friday, April 16, 1976

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Patrolman Steven Albert Poetker

You made a great impact in your short time. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace

Jerry
Fellow citizen

April 16, 2023

Your service to Arkansans, even for just one hour, will never be forgotten. God bless

Special Agent-in-Charge Diane Upchurch
FBI - Little Rock

April 16, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 36th 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.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 17, 2012

Rest in peace Officer Poetker, your bravery and commitment, though only an officer for a day will never be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 16, 2012

Greater love hath no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Friend of USFS Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

September 30, 2010

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Poetker. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

June 8, 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

November 20, 2007

Steve, I instruct a course on officer safety involving railroads. Both yours & John's memories are honored by each officer in every class I teach. God bless you both.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police

February 24, 2004

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.