Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Trooper Rouse. Again today I was driving out to Naples and forever sign your heroic sign. You are buried next to your dad in Pensacola I believe. A good man firmly entrenched in serving the state of Florida.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 28, 2024

Rest in peace Trooper Rouse. I drive to Naples a lot so I see your sign on I-75 dedicated to your heroic memory. Young and honorable!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 27, 2023

Thoughts and prayers remain with the Rouse Family. Was happy to see a recent road dedication for Trooper Stephen Rouse's sacrifice. He was responding to a fatal crash at the time of the crash in hopes of providing life saving assistance to another that he had never met. Stephen's case was one of my early reality checks about the support and sacrifices of law enforcement families. When first coming on the Patrol after attending some college classes with Mrs. Rouse, it was clear that such losses ripple far beyond the immediate agency loss. RIP my Brother.

Gary L. Howze, Director
Florida Office of the Attorney General

March 28, 2021

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

March 28, 2020

Trooper Rouse,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USAF. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

March 28, 2019

Rest in peace Trooper Rouse. I go to Naples on Mondays and drive past your husband's sign Mrs. Rouse. He is forever an honored hero!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 14, 2019

I first met Stephen Rouse as a Air Force Reservist serving in the 919th Special Operations Group at Duke Fld, Fla. Stephen was the first person I met in the unit after being recalled for the Libya situation in March of 86. I had just graduated the Security Police Academy and had not even reported into the unit for processing when I was recalled. I expedited to the base and Stephen was there, running the security control center. As no one had arrived yet, Stephen found a cot and had me rest, then started taking me under his wings as more troops showed for our assignments. Less then a year later he was gone. He was the first Brother in Arms that I experienced losing and will always hold a dear place in my heart for taking a young airman under his tutelage and keeping me on the straight and narrow. In his memory I present a poem I wrote called "Officer Down"... Officer Down
“Officer Down”, those chilling words
That strike a spouse to the core.
And a family waits, and prays upwards
For the news to tell them more.
Was it their Beloved Father, Son,
Mother, Daughter, Husband, Wife
That leaves the job this day undone
And gave it all, up to their life
For a shooter may have fired that gun
Or a car spun out of control
Or any reason under the sun
Whose actions took their toll
“Officer Down” repeated again
On the news, the web, in print
While frantic calls to next of kin
To find which home was sent
A patrol car with a team in blues
And black stripe upon their shield
To knock upon the door with news
That the loved one had been killed
“Officer Down”, those words strike fear
For another’s life was taken,
A life whose job they held so dear
To make our country safe in
A life that trained to keep the peace
And keep the bad at bay
But an “officer down” to all police
Means family died today

Tsgt Steven Bates
USAF (med ret)

September 16, 2017

I met Stephen when I was with Escambia County SO in the early 1980's. He was working as an Auxiliary FHP Trooper. I knew he would go on to be a good officer. RIP Brother!

Sheriff's Deputy Jeffery Payne
Escambia County SO

July 24, 2014

Heroes live forever, and you sir are a hero. Continue to rest in peace Trooper Rouse

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

March 28, 2012

Rest in Peace, Trooper Rouse. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 9, 2012

I am sorry for your loss. Many years ago I worked in Miami alongside these brave men and women even though it was not in law enforcement. They are a special group of people who are the daily unsung heroes. I am trying to reach Jesus Blanco. He and I share a memory that we would rather forget. Wondering how he is doing after all these years.

William Sahely

August 12, 2011

We will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made for all of us. You sir are a true hero... Continue to rest in peace Trooper Rouse.

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

Anonymous

March 28, 2011

On behalf of the men and women of the Boston Police I say thank you to Trooper Rouse for his dedication to the people of Florida. You are not forgotten....RIP

Michael Kane, Patrolman
Boston Police

October 2, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 22nd 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 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. Rest In Peace.

Carol, I hold you and Stephen's other loved ones in thought and prayer today.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 28, 2009

You were highlighted on the website today. 21 years later and time has not
diminished neither your service nor sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 19, 2008

God bless you. You will not be forgotten. We will carry on your spirit and mission.

Brother in blue

August 12, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 26, 2008

"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

December 12, 2007

Thinking of you and your family on this day. Rest in peace Troop.

Trooper
Connecticut State Police

July 2, 2007

It is difficult to wrap my brain around the fact that Stephen has been gone for 20 years. I can look back and consider how many different directions my life has taken over the course of these years and the changes the time has brought. Stephen has since had a nephew who has his name and been reunited with his father and both grandmothers. Stephen was an inspiring person in life and has continued to inspire me even in death. How fortunate I was to love him and have been loved by him. I can still distinctly remember his laugh which is truly a blessing. He may be physically gone, but he left behind an imprint on my heart that lives on.

Carol
wife

May 1, 2007

I was so very saddened to recently learn of Trooper Rouse's death. I didn't know him, but I knew his parents, especially his mother when we were in high school together in Kentucky. I was a senior when she was an 8th grader. The Trooper's parents were wonderful people and I'm sure he was a son anyone could have been proud of. ASA "Buddy" ROUSE, Walton, Ky.

Judge (retired) Asa Rouse
Kentucky judicial system 1964-73

January 7, 2005

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

Rest in peace.

October 20, 2004

WE WERE YOUNG AND STRONG IN 1986 WHEN
WE GRADUATED TOGETHER. NOW I SIT HERE DISABLED FROM THE SAME JOB WE SWORE WE WILL PROTECT AND SERVE THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
WISHING FOR ONE MOMENT THAT WE CAN HAVE
THAT GRADUATION AGAIN AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS CLASSMATE.
76 PROUD TO BE, SERVICE COURTESY AND
DIGNITY. I WILL NEVER FORGET!!!

TROOPER JESUS BLANCO/CLASSMATE
FHP CLASS 76 1986

July 18, 2004

It was an honor serving as your best man Steve. You and Carol are not forgotten.

Michael Hart
none

April 24, 2004

You are not forgotten.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

February 18, 2004