Trooper Steven K. Gardner Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Highway Patrol Mississippi Friday, March 23, 1984  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 22 of 2

TROOPER GARDNER MY FIRST IMPRESSIION WAS 'WOW'. YOU WENT BEYOND THE CALL TO DUTY.FIRST YOU WERE STRUCK BY A CAR THEN YOU WENT TO CHECK ON THE OTHER DRIVER FOR INJURIES. YOU WENT BEYOND TO SERVE AND PROTECT ONLY TO BE AMBUSHED BY A COWARD. EVERYDAY YOU WORE THAT BLUE AND GRAY UNIFORM YOU TOOK A RISK A RISK YOU WERE WILLING TO TAKE BECAUSE YOU LOVED YOUR PROFESSION. YOU HELPED MAKE THE HIGHWAYS AND STREETS A SAFER PLACE FOR ALL OF US TO DRIVE. YOU ARE A HERO AND HEROS ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.

AL LLANOS
FRESNO,CALIFORNIA PD RET.
2009-04-13

You gave your all to the citizens of this great state twenty five years ago today. We will never forget our fallen brothers who wear the blue and gray.Rest easy trooper.

Lt.
MHP
2009-03-23

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion
Proverbs 28:1

You are not forgotten, especially on the anniversery of your death.

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

K.L.

2009-03-23

To Steven, his family and friends:

Today is the first anniversary of Steven's tragic death and the day all your lives changed forever. As I read the reflections, I am mindful of the journey we all struggle with as we try to make a life for ourselves...we know that is what our beloved would want us to do, but the heart always aches for the one who can only be with us in spirit for now.

I hope that you all find some peace in your heart today as you hold your memories like the rare and beautiful pearls they are.

May Steven's spirit continue to soar and his memory continue to inspire.

Rest in Peace, Steven. Your valor and dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Phyllis Loya, mother of Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
2009-03-23

A trooper can never prepare for a situation such as this one. Sometimes it seems that if THEY want you, THEY can get you, no matter what. So if you are an officer and are reading this reflection, please be safe today and remember, kiss your family members and say a prayer for everyone including yourself. Trooper Gardner, your situation has already saved officers lives because it makes us think of the dangers and know that it can happen. Thanks for your service buddy.

State Trooper
N.C. State Highway Patrol
2009-01-02

Today marks 24 years Steve. Rest easy brother you fought the good fight.

Lt.
MHP
2008-03-23

Its 4:34 A.M. and for some reason I've had you on my mind all night. I wear a thin blue line bracelet on my arm and every time I look down at it I remember I have somebody watching out for me

Correctional Officer Andrew Mccomb

2008-02-28

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-02-27

"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
2007-12-03

Good job, Trooper. I was reading an article on your agency and decided to look up the ODMP section concerning MSP. Everything I read is consistant with the kind of Man you showed yourself to be that awful night; your example will keep others alive. You were taken off guard by a yellow, snivelling coward, but you never surrendered, and you made damn good and sure "he" never hurt anyone else. Awesome job Trooper!

Paul

2007-11-08

I stopped by to see your parents recently. They spoke about how proud you were to were the blue and gray. They are proud of you and your service and keep your memory alive. It was a honor to meet them. They will always be apart of our family.

Lt.
MHP
2007-10-20

Every morning I put on a uniform and remember the sacrifice you made for God and country. You are my inspiration and the reason I want to be in Law Enforcement
God bless you my brother and my cousin. I cant wait to meet you in heaven

Officer Andrew Mccomb
Lee County Sheriff's Department/ Cousin
2007-06-13

Every morning I put on a uniform and remember the sacrifice you made for God and country. You are my inspiration and the reason I want to be in Law Enforcement
God bless you my brother and my cousin. I cant wait to meet you in heaven

Officer Andrew Mccomb
Lee County Sheriff's Department/ Cousin
2007-06-13

Steve you are thought of 23 years after you gave your all. Your story has been told to the new cadets who will become troopers. We will continue to live up to the high standards you set for us and those to come. Thanks again for your service to our great state.

Lt.
M.H.P.
2007-03-23

Steven,
Many things can be said about you and your action. Hero, Warrior, and Dedicated are but a few. I pray that if my time comes, I face it like you did, head on and with great courage. I pray that I will act in a manor that you would be proud of.

HEROS LIVE FOREVER !!!

God Speed Brother...Until we meet above..

2006-11-16

Trooper Gardner,

Thank you for your service. I am very proud of you. I am very impressed by your actions on the date of your death. You leave a very honorable legacy. I pray for your family. I salute you, and God bless you brother.

Agent Brandon Ladner
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
2006-08-31

Rest easy troop you will never be forgotton.

MS trooper
M.H.P
2006-03-23

I am proud to share your last name. A man that can dispose of his killer is any hero of mine. Thank you for your sacrifice, you died a gunfighter for the law Mr. Gardner.

2006-01-31

Steven was my cousin thatI never got to meet...from all understanding I have ever recieved was that Steven was an amazing man that loved his family. I am now a criminal justice major in college and plan on honoring my cousin by following in his shoes. May God truly bless all of you that have dedicated things to him, my family thanks you.

Andrew Mccomb

2005-10-04

Rest in peace sir.

Shannon
concerned citizen
2004-09-29

05/10/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrafice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Trooper Gardner.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.
2004-05-10

Trooper Gardner,

Thank you for your bravery, courage, commitment to service and for making the ultimate sacrifice. I also wanted to thank you for ridding this planet of another harmful individual.

You are a true Hero.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Department, CA
2004-03-23

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Today, March 23, 2004 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Trooper Steven K. Gardner who died in the line of duty on this date twenty years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Trooper Gardner's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC
2004-03-23

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Deputy Sheriff
POLK County Sheriff's Office, Florida
2004-03-23

Warrior!

2004-01-30