Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Thomas Joel Steiner

California Highway Patrol, California

End of Watch Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Officer Thomas Joel Steiner

Brah:

Thinking about You, as Heidi celebrates another Name Day.......

Michael B. Parlor

August 24, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Steiner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 20, 2023

Tom was an amazing person I met at Cal Poly in the 90s and we became good friends - I was with him through his CHP application process, his waiting period at the ski resort and the "almost" move to WA. He had the biggest heart and love of life, techie stuff and he was so stoked to get the Camaro. He also was proud that he had never had to discharge his weapon and only had to take it out of the holster at risky truck traffic stops. I will never forget his kindness and good heart . I remember him today and always

gina hall

April 22, 2022

Hello my name is Douglas Escobar for some reason sometimes I remember officer Steiner, and just want to indicate that he is not forgotten. I never met him, I am just a citizen of the city of pomona. But I still remember the tragic news, I was on my early 20s . Thank you Officer Steiner for your service to us, citizens of California.

Douglas Escobar
Pomona Resident

March 24, 2022

Thank you for your serivce

Civilian Adrian Perez
N/A

February 16, 2021

Here, we find ourselves in 2020 with the current challenges of a worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, the “Defund the Police” movement, among multiple other unforeseen challenges. On the fateful day that Officer Steiner went to be with our Lord, I was one of two CHP Officers holding all vehicle/pedestrian traffic, in order for the CHP helicopter carrying Thomas’ Mother, to land near the Hospital. Having a wonderful and rewarding relationship with my own Mother, the look of FEAR on his Mother’s face as she ran across the lawn toward the Hospital to be with her Son in his final moments, is an image that will be deeply engraved in my mind forever! In order to have multiple subpoenas for the same court day, an Officer must possess an unparalleled work ethic, as Thomas obviously had. At the time of Thomas’ murder, he was performing the duties of an “SMPV” Officer (Commercial related Enforcement ), which is the exact duties I was responsible for, at the neighboring CHP/Baldwin Park Area Office. Having recently retired from the California Highway Patrol, I realize that I was truly one of the fortunate Officers that, unlike Thomas, and those HEROES that made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of California, will be able to enjoy the latter years of my life. God bless you Thomas, and your family and friends, as ALL Police Officers don’t have the luxury of returning home at the end of your shift!

Trooper Schobel/15502 (Ret)
Inland Division MRE
CHP Riverside Area

September 11, 2020

A senseless act and a young life taken.

Officer S. Woodhouse
Sacramento Municipal Utility District

April 24, 2020

R.I.P. Steiner, We have the watch from here. You are promoted to the Ultimate heavenly watch.

Sgt. M. Sebel
Goldenwest Security

April 22, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

April 21, 2020

I had the honor of playing the bagpipes at Officer Steiner's funeral.

FF/PM John Keys
Los Angeles City Fire Department

April 21, 2020

Semper Fi CHPY. May God bless you and your family. Your life was taken so suddenly and you had such a great career ahead of you. Your service to our state will never go unnoticed and your love for your LE family is as strong as your love for your beautiful family. We will always keep you in our hearts.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol, South Los Angeles 1969-1971

April 21, 2020

This incident was a brazen and horrible act by a teenager who was in a gang and influenced by older members in the gang. I remember it well and continue to help eradicate the scourge gang members take on our communities. My condolences to the Steiner family on this day of remembrance for Officer Steiner. May you find peace in knowing we are forever grateful for his service to the public.

Deputy Sheriff Los Angeles
County Sheriff

April 21, 2020

This story breaks my heart it could not be more senseless. I met his widow recently and she is such a sweetheart and she is still heartbroken and still suffers from this ridiculous cowardly act.

Jerald young
CDL Driver

June 13, 2019

Rest In Peace Officer Steiner. I never had the honor and privilege of knowing you personally. I know of you the tragedy of your death. I vividly remember the day of your senseless murder. I will never forget nor will I forgive the spineless coward who took your life.

Officer Joseph Tyler. 6774 (Ret)
California Highway Patrol

April 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 14th anniversary of your EOW. May the cowards who took your life suffer and rot.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 21, 2018

You are still remembered deeply by family !!!!

Chief GE Steiner
Steiner Security Services/Cousin

April 18, 2018

Still remembering your untimely and ultimate sacrifice. Without the souls behind the badge our society would be reckless and dangerous, thank you for your service....

Fire Captain Slagle
CAL FIRE

January 15, 2018

Rest in peace brother, your sacrifice won't be in vain.

Ofc. Chang
Burlington Police Dept

November 16, 2016

He's writing tickets in heaven. RIP, brother.

Corporal Barker

May 9, 2016

Tom was a great friend and officer and will never be forgotten.

Gina Hall
Friend

April 21, 2016

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

My Name is Recruit Valencia, and I am a DST for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (Class#403). My Father was a 30-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol and a close friend of Officer Tom Steiner’s. My father was outside the courthouse that day with Officer Steiner when he was shot, and devotedly searched for his assailant. I remember that day vividly and recall the emotional turmoil that it had on all of us.

A few years after his passing, I had the pleasure of meeting Officer Tom Steiner’s parents, as they were in attendance at my father’s retirement party. They are wonderful people, and were extremely encouraging in my endeavors to become a peace officer. My father has always spoken very highly of Tom and his family, and we continue to hold all of them in the highest regard.

I believe a position of law enforcement is reserved for only the best kinds of people, and that Thomas was exactly that. I am truly sorry for his family’s loss, and send my sincerest condolences.

Recruit Valencia
LASD Class#403

September 27, 2014

I happened to accidentally come across this memorial webpage during research for a project essay on gang violence and could not turn from my anguish without saying something about this senseless killing of Tom. I know its been nearly ten years and I never knew the man who obviously wore his bade with great courage, fortitude, pride and honor. A man who had a strong dedicated work ethic to himself and a deeply ingrained burden to everyone else with an undying need to preserve humanity with his policing of the streets to make them safer for us all. What I get from this mostly is a man who knew his position and his calling in life and knew the risks involved. His sacrifice is greatly appreciated and celebrated in all of us, his family, friends, and every stranger who walked the streets he patrolled. Without his service and without his sacrifice to preserve and protect all humanity none of us could have guaranteed our own safety. It is men like Tom who are of the greatest heroes. Men who are willing to do the impossible for others. Tragically his life ended to soon, a premature death if you will, a death that should not have been. He was far too young and had more to give society. I celebrate his duty not just as an officer of the law but as a man that everyone else should continue to look up to every day of their lives. I will not say rest in peace, for I know he is resting in peace and his spirit is very much alive and well in all of us. We honor him by the memory we have of him. I say, may peace be upon him and peace be with his family. May his sons grow up knowing their father as a courageous man, who loved them and dedicated his life making the world a safer place for them to live in.

Salaam alaykum to you all.

Yusuf Ali

February 25, 2014

Tom, it's been nearly 10 years since your untimely death. I will never forget you as long as live! I know you are watching over us all as you were one to take care of your beat partners. Continue to watch over us and protect us from danger. Godspeed brother!

Officer
CHP

February 19, 2014

Officer Steiner, you are a true hero and will always be remembered by those who love you and those who had the honor of working with you. It makes me very happy to know that your murderer will never walk the streets of California as a free man. God Speed, and God Bless all the Men and Women of the California Highway Patrol.

Taylor Ramerth
Citizen of Chandler, Arizona

December 24, 2013

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