Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Zourkas family,

I only met Steve over a three day training period. I just want to say how proud I am to call him my brother in law enforcement. I have had limited interaction with the Niles Police Department. In that short time I could tell how dedicated he was. If Arlington Heights Police Department can help you in any way, please ask. Thank you. Be Safe.

Ofc. J. Aiello
Arlington Heights, Il

May 22, 2005

Still think about you every day, Crazy.

114
MG

May 20, 2005

Steve you will be missed by all at the department and more then you know. I remember when i was out on medical and a day after i was home from the hospital you were at my door after you worked midnights and you checked on me and kept me company when i was home hurt. Your love and caring for fellow officers and people was a way of life to you and you touched so many peoples lives and it was an honor working by your side. Your new position i hope is to be a watchful eye over all officers/famlies around the world and we know you will work to be the best one they have.

Sergeant J. Penze
Niles PD

May 4, 2005

Thank you for your service.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

April 27, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Zourkas. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.

Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

April 26, 2005

Rest In Peace and may your family take comfort in knowing that you are with God.

Sgt. Scott M. Ballew
Galva IL Police Dept.

April 26, 2005

Rest in peace.

Ofc. Tom Branick
Lincolnshire (IL) Police Dept.

April 23, 2005

I pray that your family and friends find strength and support in the reflections left by your extended family. We share in their sorrow. May your spirit have a joyous homecoming and may you rest peacefully on your perch “High on the mountain”, you have earned that right!

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

April 22, 2005

I am so sorry for this tragic accident. I send you my most heartfelt sympathy's and pray in time the precious memories you have of Steven will bring you comfort. God be with you and bless you

Mother of officer John"Kevin" Lamm
EOW 1-1-98

April 21, 2005

"Lay me down in the cold cold ground, where before many officers have gone.... When they come, I'll stand my ground, Stand my ground, I'll nay be afraid. Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears....Never more shall I see the sun. In your dreams remember me. Say a prayer, and remember me."

Yes Steve, I will always remember you. I will miss you so much on the midnight shift...I will miss you asking me one question over and over again "how is Chicago? did you got on?" The funny part was..... when I finally told you "Yes, Steve I got on" you wouldn't let it go....you had to come up with another question "When do you start, did you hear anything??"...........Now....it's the time I would ask you a quick question "Why......??"

Rest in pease brother,your work here is done,go patrol the streets of heaven,and watch over us.

AUX/O.S.O Emilia Brynkus # 437
Niles Police Department

April 21, 2005

Steve-
It has been almost 2 weeks since you have been taken from us and I still can't believe it. I miss you so much and I keep hoping that you are going to call me and tell me it was a big misunderstanding and that you are alive and well. I just can't image the thought of never seeing or talking to you again. Steve I love you and thank you for always being a great friend. Rest in peace and I promise there will never be a day that goes by where I won't think of you.

Friend, Sandi

April 21, 2005

Thoughts and prayers are extended to you and your family. Any line of duty death is unfortunate, but we can all be proud that you had attempted to spare the life of another. As a fellow evidence technician, I feel a special connection to you, and pray that you are now in a peaceful place.

Deputy Daniel Luffman
Monroe County (NY) Sheriff's Office

April 21, 2005

Steve, many times you asked me to look over one of your reports. When I gave you constructive criticism, you would always ask me why I thought your report was bad, to the point of sometimes driving me crazy. I never thought they were bad but I was just trying to help you in your eternal quest for perfection. You are perfect now. I will miss you asking me those questions my brother. Rest in peace and watch over us. Godspeed.+

Sergeant Tom Davis
Niles P.D.

April 21, 2005

Steve, I can't believe that you’re gone. I miss your calls everyday telling me about what your day consisted of, as well how work is going. I have known Steve and his family for over 30 years. I remember when he asked me about becoming a Firefighter and EMT. I at the time was one. Steve would always ask questions of becoming and preparing himself for his future career .Steve joined the Prospect Heights Fire department as a part timer and took exams for full time Police and Fire. I remember the day he told me that he was taking the Niles Police exam. Steve was so excited and very ecstatic that the village of Niles choose him to represent such a fine community. He was honored and overwhelmed to work for such a great community. Steve attended the academy and did very well in his class. Steve had a compassion for civil service and enjoyed helping others in a time of need. I’m very proud to know that Steve was one of a kind. He always liked to debate, and knew when he was wrong. I ‘m sadden buy his loss and know he is in a new place. In his journey he will be an asset. Steve always put other first and would be a good friend for advice. The Village of Niles had an outstanding Police officer working for them. Steve sacrificed his life for another. I know Steve will be my angel from heaven looking over his brothers, friends, family and loved ones. Steve, I know that we share a great deal of memories. “One of them was introducing you to your wife”. My prayers go out to Ivy, Andrew, John, the Zourkas family, and the Village of Niles. You will be truly missed but not forgotten.


Michael Roberts
GREAT FRIEND

Michael Roberts

April 19, 2005

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Corporal Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

April 18, 2005

Steve, I cannot even begin to express how much we all miss you. I still walk by the report writting room and look in hoping you'll be sitting there like you did almost every morning trying to finish paperwork, hoping that what happend was nothing but a bad dream . I miss our talks. Almost every morning that week I always caught you exiting the parking lot as I was entering for work, when I heard the news I thought "This can't be true, I'll see him at the Niles Police parking gates" and prayed for you to be there. You weren't there, but I know that morning you went through the gates of Heaven. You will now be that angel on the shoulder of all of us here. Rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens. Your memory will never be forgotten.

C.S.O AGRON
Niles P.D

April 18, 2005

Steve, you touched the lives and hearts of everyone who met you. This tragedy has no rhyme or reason - all we know is that you're gone and we will forever feel the void. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. With deepest sympathy now and always...

Tom Fox
friend

April 18, 2005

Steve,
You will not be forgotten. You are a wonderful person. You will be in our hearts forever. It seems like just yesterday I sat in the village board meeting, so proud, watching you and Tom, accept awards! Please watch over Tom and all of your fellow officers for they are out doing what they love to do, just like you! You touched more lives than you will ever know. God bless you and your family.

Tracy Fragassi, wife of officer Tom Frag

April 17, 2005

I was not able to be there to say good-bye but my heart broke just the same as I heard the news. Steve, you were one of the greatest guys I knew. I saw you only a couple of days before I left for Iraq again and you sent me of with a, " Be safe!", and a smile. I know that every time I fly over here, I will be safe, because I know I will have you as my wingman. You will be greatly missed Steve. Rest in Peace brother.

CSO Jon Kukielka
Niles Police

April 17, 2005

My thought and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers. I wish there was some magical words, or something that we could do to help you. But as we all know there is nothing, just know that we are all thinking and praying for you.
The one thing that helped me was knowing that Clint loved being a Police Officer, and helping other people. I bet Steven loved it also.
Officer Zourkas your family will miss you everyday but we will never forget you.
Look Clint up for me tell him I miss his smile, and his calls.

Connie Barker
Mother of Clint Walker E.O.W. 1-14-04

April 17, 2005

Steve, You always had something to 'say' about my 'cotton candy' lotion and now it is just that much more special. I will miss YOUR comments but never forget then!. YOU are MISSED!

Ofc. A.M.Dawdy
Niles Police

April 16, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER ZOURKAS, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

April 16, 2005

Steve, I never met you but because you lived near us I remember one time in winter when it was snowing heavily hearing your voice come over my husband's nextel phone warning him to leave early for work because the traffic was bad. I had asked him on that occasion who you were because I was thinking how nice that was and that not many people would even bother to do that. I also remember him telling me how our daughter and your son shared the same birthday and that you always talked about your sons. I see my husband grieving and can't help but wonder if some people are just so good and so pure that they are just taken to a much better place. You are missed by many.

J. Allmon- wife of ofcr. M. Allmon

April 16, 2005

Steve, being this my first full year on the midnight shift, I was looking forward to getting to know you. Even though we lived only a few miles apart, I wish I took the initiative to know you outside of work. You are missed by us on midnights Steve, but we all understand and know you are in a much better place. Take care my friend.

P.O. M. Allmon #130
Niles P.D.

April 16, 2005

WHAT IS A COP?

Cops are human ( believe it or not) just like the rest of us. They come in both sexes but mostly male. They also come in various sizes. This sometimes depends on whether you are looking for one or trying to hide something. However, they are mostly big.

Cops are found everywhere-on land, on the sea, in the air, on horses, in cars, sometimes in your hair. In spite of the fact that " you can't find one when you want one", they are usually there when it counts most. The best way to get one is to pick up the phone.

Cops deliver lectures, babies, and bad news. They are required to have the wisdom of solomon, the disposition of a lamb and muscles of steel and are often accused of having a heart to match. He's the one who rings the door-bell, swallows hard and announces the passing of a loved one; then spends the rest of the day wondering why he ever took such a "crummy" job.

On TV, a cop is an oaf who couldn't find a bull fiddle in a telephone booth. In real life he's expected to find a little blond boy " about so high" in a crowd of a half million people. In fiction, he gets help from private eyes, reporters, and who-dun-it fans." In real life, mostly all he gets from the public is " I didn't see nuttin'."

When he serves a summons, he's a monster. If he lets you go, he's a doll. To little kids, he's either a friend or a bogeyman, depending on how the parents feel about it. He works " around the clock", split shifts, Sundays and holidays, and it always kills him when a joker says. " Hey tomorrow is Election Day, I'm off, let's go fishing" ( that's the day he works 20 hours).

A cop is like the little girl, who, when she was good, was very, very good, but, when she was bad, was horrid. When a cop is good, " he's getting paid for it." When he makes a mistake, " he's a grafter, and that goes for the rest of them too." When he shoots a stick-up man he's a hero, except when the stick-up man is " only a kid, anybody coulda seen that."

Lots of them have homes, some of them covered with ivy, but most of them covered with mortgages. If he drives a big car, he's a chiseler; a little car, "who's he kidding?" His credit is good; this is very helpful, because his salary isn't. Cops raise lots of kids; most of them belong to other people.

A cop sees more misery, bloodshed, trouble, and sunrises than the average person. Like the postman, cops must also be out in all kinds of weather. His uniform changes with the climate, but his outlook on life remains about the same: mostly a blank, but hoping for a better world.

Cops like days off, vacations, and coffee. They don't like auto horns, family fights, and anonymous letter writers. They have unions, but they can't strike. They must be impartial, courteous, and always remember the slogan " At your service." This is sometimes hard, especially when a character reminds him, " I'm a taxpayer, I pay your salary."

Cops get medals for saving lives, stopping runaway horses, and shooting it out with the bandits ( once in a while his widow gets the medal). But sometimes, the most rewarding moment comes when, after some small kindness to an older person, he feels the warm hand clasp, looks into grateful eyes and hears, " Thank you and God bless you, son."

Officer Dave Carroll
Choctaw, Oklahoma

April 15, 2005