Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Douglas Sorensen

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California

End of Watch Saturday, August 2, 2003

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Stephen Douglas Sorensen

Deputy Sorensen, you are a true hero. Thank You for your courageous efforts. We will continue the fight and always remember our fallen brothers & sisters. You are not forgotten, we will honor your memory.

Detective Thomas Tully
Southampton Town Police, Long Island, New York

December 16, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Deputy Sheriff Stephen Douglas Sorensen and his fellow officers with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

On this the third anniversary date of Steve's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Steve, I feel as if I know him through the loving reflections left by loved ones and friends. His valor and courage will never be forgotten.
The lessons he taught to those he mentored will be carried forward.

I hope that God is holding his wife and son in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Steve was robbed of his life at such a young age, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Steve gave to his community and the citizens of California, and or the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 2, 2003.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 2, 2006

Today, August 1, 2006, in memory of Officer Stephen Sorensen; Basic Academy Class 64 of the Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Center performed quality pushups during morning inspection. The selfless service, dedication to enforcing the law in the name of peace, and the sacrifices of Deputy Sorensen, his family, and friends is an honor to us all. Deputy Sorensen’s memory will be held reverently in our hearts and minds.

Cadet P. Gorman
Napa Valley Police Academy

August 1, 2006

It has been 3 years since your were called away from duty and I know there are many hearts still feeling the pain because of your loss. Keep watch over them, especially your family and guide them through their lifes path. Keep watch over those still on patrol You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon, Gold Star Father

August 1, 2006

God bless Deputy Stephen Douglas Sorensen, his family & many friends, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Corporal P.R. OLIVER
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

July 6, 2006

Steve my brother. I was checking the ODMP website today and your profile "randomly" popped up (there are no random happenings in life,if it happens, it happens for some reason, right?). It got me thinking of the good times we had working together at the PDC-NORTH jail. It's hard to believe it's been almost three years since that savage killed you. I knew when you took that resident deputy job that some trouble could come your way. You were too good of a cop, too proactive, and took a vested interest in the community you lived in not to "ruffle some feathers" of the local dirtbags.
I remember when I first got assigned to patrol, you came to my house to check my equipment and give me maps of the station area. You took my on a tour of the station and briefed me on what I was to expect. A truly helpful friend.
I know it sounds "cliche" but a better man, policeman and hero a person will never find.
At your funeral I saw the picutres of your beautiful family (wife and baby boy) and I believe a part of me died that day. The overwhelming sense of loss and grief....I am a spiritual man, but I still, til this day, cannot understand WHY (???)....maybe when my time comes, you can greet me at the gate and help explain it all to me...again.
Until then I will honorably perfrom my duties, do the right things, take badguys/girls to jail and try to make this world a better place than how we found it..as General George Patton has said " If a man does his best, what else is there"....If I try to do the job like you did, then the answer is....... "nothing".
Say hi to Pierre and Dave for me and watch over the rest of us until our time comes.....
Your ol' Module 2 building partner, Ed

Dep Ed Sheridan
lasd

June 22, 2006

Steve, I see your face in my minds eye often. In the early dawn of our academy days, and then the moment I read that teletype with your name on it at roll call saying some animal had taken your life. Miss or loss are not the right words to describe this world without you in it, pain and suffering are.

Sergeant Mark Fried
Inglewood PD

May 19, 2006

Steve, you died 7 months before I arrived at the station nearly 3 years ago, so I never had the pleasure of knowing you. Your pictures adorn almost every wall, and seeing your locker on display in the briefing room is heartwrenching. And now with Pierre gone, there is even more sorrow, more memorials.
I pray for both of your families, and to you, God bless your soul. You died a hero, and you will never be forgotten.
Give a big hug to Pierre when you see him.

LET Florence Hobson
LASD Lancaster Station

April 9, 2006

Stephen, I was tasked with retrieving your Ford Expedition from our Crime Lab for disposal. I had a Bad time doing that, seeing the Photos of your Kid's on the Visor, knowing this was the last vehicle you (and the suspect) were in.
Rest in Peace Brother.

Deputy Sheriff
LASD

February 13, 2006

It wasn't how you died that made you a hero....it was the way you lived!

Thank You!

The T.T.P.G.

January 17, 2006

Steve,

From those of us who were honored to call you a friend, I thank you for all you did here in Lake Los Angeles as a resident, community activist and the best Town Sheriff I will ever meet. You lived your life with such profound purpose. You instilled in us, that it was all of our responsibility to better our community by volunteering, and to start at home with our families. You empowered us, and challenged us daily, to make a difference. You never gave in, and you always gave it all, every day. Even on the last day, responding to a call on your day off, just outside your jurisdiction. You responded 24-7 to someone in need. You changed everything as our Town Sheriff, and we are all better people, and a better community because of you. I miss you very much Steve. God bless you and your family, you were sent to us as God's peacemaker and protector on earth, and you did your job well. How honored and blessed we are to have known you. You have made me a better person.

Your Friend,
Connie Mavrolas

Connie Mavrolas
Lake LA Resident/Reporter

January 14, 2006

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, August 2, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Stephen Douglas Sorensen who died in the line of duty on this date two years ago.

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

Deputy Sorensen's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

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

August 2, 2005

On the anniversary of your passing, we pause to remember your service.
Know that we continue on in your memory.

Master Trooper
Virginia State Police

August 2, 2005

Just wanted to leave a thank you for the second anniversary of your untimely death. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
My prayers goes out to Dep. Sorensens family on this sad anniversary.

God speed Dep. Sorensen

Sgt. Kristiansen
Norwegian Army (Ret)

August 1, 2005

God Speed Deputy Sorensen. God Bless your family.
For someone to do what he did to you hits a nerve. It's good to know the coward that did this to you got just what he was due for.

May 13, 2005

STEPHEN REST IN PEACE BROTHER,YOUR NAME WILL BE ADDED TO THE OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL AT STAR CENTER.ALTOUGH I NEVER HAD THE OPPORTURNITY TO MEET YOU,WE ALL SHARE THE SAME BOND.SEE/YA ON THE FLIP/FLOP,(EX LASD LKD 9154 136B)

SGT RON BUCHHOLZ
SANDOVAL COUNTY SHERIFF RIO RANCHO NM

April 6, 2005

READING THROUGH OFFICERS KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY. MY SON A RICHMOND OFFICER DOUGLAS WENDEL WAS GUNNED DOWN JULY 30 03 . SORENSEN WAS MY GRANDPARENTS NAME COULD BY CHANCE BE RELATED THEY CAME FROM BROOKLYN NY. IF BY ANY CHANCE PUT ANSWER ON REFLECTIONS FOR DOUGLAS WENDEL EOW JULY 30 03 MARILYNGOD BLESS STEPHEN AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY HE IS WITH ALL OTHER BUDDIES AS AN ANGEL WATCHING OVER US.

mother of fallen officer

April 1, 2005

"One thing I know for sure. The only ones who will be really happy are those
among you who have sought and found a way to serve." Albert Schweitzer
My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Deputy Sorensen. Nothing can replace your officer, but I pray that the memories you have of him in happy times will help to ease the pain you're feeling now.
God Speed, Deputy, you will not be forgotten.


Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, IN USA

August 2, 2004

Steve,

I just wanted to say it was a pleasure working with you over the years before I left the sheriff's department. We had some pretty good times. You were a wonderful friend and partner to have. I always knew I could depend on you for anything. I trusted you with my life. There are only a select few that I can say that about, and you are one of them. I think about you all the time. You will never be forgotten as long as I live. I know you are in a better place and watching out for all of us. God bless you and your family. Farewell my friend, till we meet again.

Ian Thrall
L.A. County Fire

June 26, 2004

I consider myself lucky to have had the chance to get to know you a little better in the few months before you left. Although I only handled 1 call for service with you, you assisted me with patience and genuine concern. You are a model for what we should all strive to be. God Bless you, Steve.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" MTHW 5:9

Andy
L.A. County Sheriff's Dept.

May 13, 2004

I didn't know you, but I guess you and my husband were quite the hell raisers. He really cared about you and your death has changed him. He proudly wore your bracelet until it was unwearable and now it sits next to Dave March's. They are daily reminders for me to take care of my husband, love him, cherish him and honor what he does. Thank you deputy for you service and the friendship that my husband so enjoyed.

Rest in peace.

Shari
LASD wife

April 29, 2004


STEVE-

AS I LOOK AT THE WEB SITE, AND HAVE READ THE POSTED MESSAGES, ALMOST ALL OF THEM ARE FROM PEOPLE AND BROTHERS WHO DID NOT KNOW YOU, BUT UNDERSTAND THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE YOU HAVE PAID.

MAYBE IT SELFISH FOR ME TO SAY, BUT I KNEW STEVE. HE WAS MY FRIEND AND WE SHARED A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP THAT FEW OTHERS HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF HAVING, FOR STEVE WAS MY FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, MY MENTOR AND TEACHER AND I WAS HIS LAST "TRAINEE" AT THE ALTADENA STATION IN MARCH OF 2000 WHEN HE LEFT TO BE THE LAKE L.A. RESIDENT DEPUTY.

YOU TAUGHT ME WELL MY FRIEND, YOU INSTILLED IN ME THE "SORENSEN" WAY, WHICH WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS THE RIGHT WAY.

IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, I WAS MADE A F.T.O. AT ALTADENA STATION. I NOW HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO TRAIN AND TEACH OTHERS WHAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME.

I WEAR YOUR BRACELET WITH PRIDE, AND WHEN PEOPLE ASK ABOUT IT, I TELL THEM IT'S TO HONOR A FALLEN HERO OF MINE, WHICH IS WHAT YOU ARE, A "HERO".

I WISH I COULD TYPE ON THE MDT, "114B R U THERE" AGAIN AND HAVE YOU TYPE BACK OR GET A MESSAGE SENT TO ME, "TO CALL SORENSEN ON HIS CELL PHONE". I'M SURE THE REST OF ALTADENA, LANCASTER AND PALMDALE STATIONS WISH THE SAME.

I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT I THINK I'VE SAID ENOUGH. I KNOW WE'LL MEET AGAIN MY FRIEND IN A BETTER PLACE.

I'LL SHARE ONE LAST THING THAT STEVE TOLD ME WHEN I TRAINED WITH HIM, ITS A QUOTE FROM WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, " BE NOT AFRAID OF GREATNESS, SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN GREAT, SOME PEOPLE ACHIEVE GREATNESS, AND SOME HAVE GREATNESS THRUST UPON THEM."

TO CHRIS AND MATTIE, ON BEHALF OF ME AND MY FAMILY, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

DEPUTY GREG KAPLAN
ALTADENA SHERIFF'S STATION


DEP. B-1, GREG KAPLAN
LASD- ALTADENA

March 4, 2004

A True Hero. " In Valor there is Hope"
Thank you my brother"

Sgt. Mike Edes
Maine State Police

January 31, 2004

Thank you Deputy Sorensen for keeping us safe from bad. God bless you.

Renny Kassel
California Citizen

January 26, 2004

Rest in peace deputy ... your service to the community is not forgotten. Thank you

Anonymous

January 4, 2004

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