Officer Down Memorial Page

It has been almost 30 yrs since you've been gone. Watching the news the other day -- a Brevard deputy was shot n killed in the line of duty and it hits me all over again. I know the pain they are going through, the pain they WILL go through and my heart breaks for them. I know you keep our Volusia County guys safe and I know if you had to do it over again - you'd still answer that call. Know there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and see a glimpse of you in lil man's eyes, actions or smile. Miss you dad. You are my forever hero........

Candace Ellinor
daughter
March 8, 2012

Steve we were in class together with you and the other guys in the FBI Hostage Class. I will always remember that.
After all these years you are still remembered!

Rocky L.
March 5, 2012

Rest in Peace, Deputy Saboda. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
February 16, 2012

God Bless you Steve, we miss you.

Robert L. Matusick
Director of Public Safety
Stetson University
December 27, 2011

Deputy Saboda we have not forgotten the sacrifice that you made for all of us or that of the family that you left behind. May God continue to bless them and watch over them, and may you Sir continue to rest in peace...

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

Deb
November 6, 2011

Deputy Saboda,

I have recently completed a firearms course at the training center bearing your name. Each time we left for break, we'd look at a picture that was taken of you and your fellow SWAT deputies that was taken the year you were taken.

Rest In Peace,

Officer Culver

Officer Robert J. Culver
Holly Hill Police Department
June 9, 2011

To the Saboda family, time does not heal the pain in your hearts, but there are many prayers with you today. Heroes will never be forgotten, we remember...

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

Anonymous
November 6, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 27th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous
November 6, 2009

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
November 2, 2007

"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 8, 2007

Heroes and the sacrifices they make will not be forgotten. Deputy Saboda, you are a true hero and you are not forgotten.

SPO
Salem, Va
December 18, 2006

Deputy Saboda you have truly paved the way for many Deputies in Volusia County you are the one who solely laid down your life in order to protect your fellow brotheren and sisters. On behalf of those who are Depuites and to those including myself who is a future a Deputy we say thank you for your commitment to the Sheriff's Office. We know that you're up above watching over us all we thank God for yuor service REST IN PEACE my brother and fellow Deputy. God Bless you. See you one of these days when patrolling is over.

Minister Brandon Gladmon
Future VCSO Deputy
August 26, 2006

I was in eighth grade and attending St. Pauls Catholic School when Deputy Saboda died. I remember hearing the news and then days later being in school when all the patrol cars showed up. Hundreds if not almost a thousand, so it seemed. We were up on the second floor looking down on the parking lot.
We, the eigth grade class were asked to sing in the Church during the funneral service.
Even though I did not know you, I am so thankful that I had an opprotunity to be a part of your service.
I am now a fourteen year veteren and proudly stand here wanting you to know that you are not forgotten. I know your family still goes to your grave...you see you are buried very close to my in laws. I have stopped by your grave.
I just hope that retirement is serving you well. All I ask is that you continue to look down and help protect all the brothers and sisters who are fighting the good fight.

To the Saboda family. Please know that Stephen had an affect on many many people and that is a good thing.

Police Officer
Orlando Police Department
November 15, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

September 30, 2004

You certainly served with honor and bravery. Rest in peace.

Ofc. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Dept.
October 31, 2003

No officer that gave his life should be without reflection……

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

Anonymous