Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Special Agent Stephen Eric Sullivan

United States Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Government

End of Watch Monday, September 19, 2005

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Special Agent Stephen Eric Sullivan

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

Civilian
Close to Steve

August 30, 2006

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit

The fight continues - your legacy leads us.

WBC
Special Agent, DSS

August 13, 2006

Sully's sharp wit and quiet style of "telling it the way it is" was one of my favorite things about him. As a highly capable, honest and sincere person Sully was a pleasure to be around. His dedication to service will always be remembered. Thanks for everything Sully and we'll see you again someday.

Agent DP
friend

May 18, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother

DS LE
PBSO

May 17, 2006

Special Agent Sullivan gave his life for his country in a situation that many criticize. He did what he did because he loved his country and saw his duty. I can't say what his personal views were, but the hat he's wearing in the picture says a lot. I've got one just like it and I wear it with pride.

Special Agent Sullivan's life may have been taken by some insane fanatical swine in a far off place, but I know he made it back to his family,is with them now and always will be. A guy with that smiling face could never NOT find his way back.

Thank you for all you did, God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Ptl. Jim Leahy Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

January 25, 2006

On wednesday 4 january 2006 i received the shock of a lifetime-the usual cards i always send (this one happened to be stephen's xmas one) came back. it was returned to me enclosed in another envelope by the woman renting stephen's apartment in fla. all the fears i had (and kept to myself each time he called from some random # i couldn't call back) would come to a standstill when i heard his voice crackle 'hey, domino!' now, everything makes sense... my emails being returned as undeliverable and the phone calls ceasing as of a handful of months ago. knowing sully, knowing his profession, i told myself he was just on an extended tour/mission and i'd be hearing from him anyday if not getting a call to meet him 'cause he was in dc for a few... as fate has it, my worst fears were realized as the letter fluttered from my hands... i couldn't bring myself to finish it.
stephen has been one of my dearest and best friends since we met in the late eighties...i, a student at clark university and sully, running on the treadmill at the gym (bay state gym) with combat boots on. needless to say, being the lone, independent chic that i am (i worked at the gym as well as trained there) i approached him and inquired why the boots on the treadmill when he'd be running in much worse conditions if he was training for what i suspected he was!! that began a relationship spanning nearly 20 years.
it is with immesureable pain and stunned silence that i learned of stephen's departure from his earthly place among us. in trying to understand what i'd just read, the fact that i have chosen to work with Soldiers' Angels Foundation in support of our heroes, my feeling that it's been my destiny or calling became that much clearer. stephen has always been a hero, however, he will live on as not only a hero but a father, a son and a brother to two women i never had the opportunity to meet.
the years in school at clark were certainly brightened by my friendship with stephen. we spent hours debating just about anything (i being quite the devil's advocate), discussing his desire to get back into the service of his beloved country, going on day trips to newport R.I. and walking the craggy path behind all the mansions overlooking the water, i'll never forget the tour he took me on of the mansion used in the filming of my most favorite novel The Great Gatsby, having a glass of wine here or there or making up new ways to train this/that muscle group and how much we'd run. those are only a tiny glimpse into the myriad of memories i have of stephen. throughout the years he was in Cali and finally, getting the call to make a go of dc and the service, we've continued our friendship through letters, cards and marathon phone calls. incidently, a break in the usual pattern is always a giveaway that something's not quite right.
cherish those you hold dear, live life as stephen did and would want us to do... i know that his sense of compassion and love of people touched so many. in doing so, he's left his memory to be borne by those who knew him as a person and those who sustain the promise to serve and protect. be it the USMC, Navy, or DSS, stephen dedicated his life selflessly...
my heart aches, the tears are endless yet i try to take comfort knowing stephen's life was lived as he wanted it to be... in the service of humanity though ultimately-- for the love of his family and country.
may the sullivan family find peace and beauty in all that stephen touched. it is with great sadness in my own heart that i pray strength and comfort are bestowed upon the sullivan family, friends, fellow 'brothers' and all who had the honor and priviledge of being a part of stephen's time here on earth.
stephen (sully!) Godspeed and someday, somewhere, i know i'm gonna hear that irish brogue in you yell across a crowd "hey, domino!"
all my love and light, kira

kira aka 'domino'
citizen and longtime friend

January 7, 2006

We are so sorry to here about your tragic loss of a loved one in law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in support. As we personally know, sometimes there is little comfort that comes from words. Keep focused as you can on the memories and joyous times for these things may bring you comfort. Rely heavily on family, friends, and other law enforcement. Honor your fallen loved one, for their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Alissa Scott
Widow of Wayne Scott
E.O.W. 09-10-02

Lisa Schultz
Widow of Don Schultz
E.O.W. 05-12-03

Co-Founders of Survivor Help Network

November 28, 2005

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. I served in the Marines and worked closely with DSS agents while I was in the Marine Security Guard program. I salute all of you for the job you do overseas.

MPO T. Walters
Virginia Beach Police Department

November 22, 2005

On 09/21/05 Boston Police Academy RTG 42-05 remembered Special agent Stephen Eric Sullivan and dedicated our training day to him.

You are not forgotten.

Boston Police Academy RTG 42-05
BPD

November 22, 2005

To Special Agent Stephen Eric Sullivan:

On this Veterans Day, I honor your distinquished service to your country.
I also extend a belated "Happy Birthday Marine" as yesterday was the birthday of the USMC.

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

November 11, 2005

Sully I was truly saddened by your loss. You have given your life for your country, your fellow agents and your family. Always the trickster, I hope you at peace my brother. We had some good and crazy times.
Semper Fi.
Call sign: Pyro
Shift Lead- Broadsword 1
EPD US Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan.

Deputy Cannon R. Ball
Yuma County Sheriff's Office

November 4, 2005

My family would like to extend our deepest heart felt sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of Special Agent Stephen Sullivan. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We would like to let law enforcement officers everywhere know how much we appreciate them for putting their lives on the line everyday doing their jobs to keep their communities safe. May God watch over and protect each & everyone of you!

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

October 26, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH S/A
SULLIVAN, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

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

October 22, 2005

On behalf on my father, who is a retired NYC cop, and me (I'm a cop in Virginia), I want to say thank you and G-D bless you for serving our country and making the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you also to your family for sharing their hero with us and making him our hero too!!!

Two weeks ago today we lost one of our own. Michael K Saffran-E/O/W 10.08.05 I was one of his police academy training officers and this is one of the worst losses of my life, to see one of the guys I trained from day one be killed so violently. I know your loved ones are hurting a thousand times more than I am, because they were your family. My wish is for them to find comfort in knowing that you died valiantly, doing what you believed in and what you lived for. You are a hero to us all and may you rest in peace. We have the watch now brother!!!

You will always be just a heartbeat away as we will keep you in our hearts always.

Officer Faith Gollob, CPD and her father, Retired Officer Steven Gollob, NYPD

Officer Faith Gollob
Chesapeake Police Department

October 22, 2005

Steve Sullivan was a good man who knew and practiced his tradecraft well. For all of his friends at the Secret Service, these are truly difficult times.

Jeff Irvine, SAIC Clinton Division
US Secret Service

October 16, 2005

You are in my prayers.

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

October 15, 2005

Stephen Sullivan,
For your service and sacrifice, first in the military and then as a special agent, thank you. It is because of people like you our country and communities are so safe...blessings on your soul and your family.

Dispatcher
Chesapeake Police Department, VA

October 11, 2005

Sully,
I am glad they put a picture up here of you that reminds me of the last time I saw you before you left DC. The one DS has up is to clean cut. I still remember shaking your hand only weeks before you left and wishing you luck. Folks just don't know what we go thru there... DS dosn't know. I missed your funeral, but was told it was a fitting tribute to a hero... which you are. I won't miss the memorial in DC. You and Ed Seitz hold a special place in my memory and heart for your ultimate sacrifice.

Special Agent Anthony Bennett
Diplomatic Security

October 4, 2005

I worked with Sully for almost a year in Afghanistan on the US Ambassadors Detail. Sully was a good agent and a good man. I was saddened to hear of his tragedy. May God be with him and the ones he left behind.

Troy Ross
Dyncorp WPPS

October 2, 2005

God Bless the family, friends and co-workers of Special Agent Sullivan.

mjw 643

October 2, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Stephen did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Stephen be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Special Agent Sullivan's family, friends, and co-workers are going through in losing him. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. Please know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (The Davis County Sheriff's Office and COPS will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Stephen but, I am certain he was well respected and well loved. Stephen will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were all blessed to have been able to know and love Stephen, even for a short time. I pray that Stephen and Dennis will continue to watch over us along with all the other fallen officers all as only they can.

Thank you Special Agent Sullivan for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you and all those who loved you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

September 30, 2005

I was sad to learn about Stephen's death. He was a great guy. I went to school with him in Westborough, MA. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Sincerely,

Andrea Bradley Brandeis
Mill Valley, California

Andrea Bradley Brandeis

September 28, 2005

My deepest sympathies to your family. Rest in peace, Brother.

Deputy N. Antoniou
San Jacinto County Precinct 2, Texas

September 27, 2005

Steve, I am glad I had the chance to visit with you before you shipped out one last time. You were a classy guy, I will always remember you running and coaching me along in PT. Even though you were the fastest you chose to run with me. You will be missed more than you can ever imagine by so many. Thanks for a job well done, rest in peace. You will never be forgotten by your academy classmates or anyone who had the pleasure of working with you.

Special Agent AW
Diplomatic Security Service

September 27, 2005

Thanks for your service and sacrifice brother. May you rest in peace and May peace be with your family. You will always be remembered and loved by all of those who have worn Blue.

Officer Kieffer

September 27, 2005

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.