Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R.I.P. BROTHER Steil!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

September 21, 2016

Final Salute Sergeant Steil, thank you for your service. You are a hero. Rest peacefully in the presence of God. We are praying for the family and fellow officers.

Former Patrol Sergeant
Johnny Allison
Wylie TX Police Dept

September 20, 2016

I didn't know Sergeant Kenneth Steil, but, I can feel the love from all of these posts as the tears roll down my face after reading one after another. This man was obviously a very selfless man and an incredible leader. My condolences go out to his family, friends and all of his co-workers who got to work with him and know him. May you rest in peace, Sergeant Steil knowing that you helped make this world a better place.

Lynn Rosenthal

September 20, 2016

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Mel Stull, Jr
Citizen of the Metro Detroit Area

September 20, 2016

Rest in peace Sarge....My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of the DPD during this most difficult and tragic time......

Lt. Joseph Ward, ret
Jackson, NJ PD

September 20, 2016

Rest in peace brother.

Officer Kyle Groose
Laramie PD, WY

September 20, 2016

Thanks Shark for being an awesome individual as well as being an outstanding supervisor and law enforcement officer.

Sergeant Mark Young, President of the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association

Sergeant Mark Young
Detroit Police Department

September 20, 2016

My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sergeant Steil as well as his brothers and sisters with the Detroit Police Department. So sad to see a hero's life taken in such a senseless act. RIP brother.

Chief Deputy Steve Bennett
Iowa County (WI) Sheriff's Office

September 20, 2016

Thank you for your service and dedication. Rest in peace brother.

Cpl. M. Davis #2614
Prince George's County Police

September 20, 2016

Rest in peace brother. You are a true hero.

Jamie Davis
Pittsylvania County sheriff's office

September 20, 2016

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

Sergeant E. Kemmer #142
Nevada Highway Patrol

September 20, 2016

Rest in peace brother. Thoughts are with your family both blue and blood during this difficult time. Thank you Sergeant Steil for your 20 years of service and dedication to your community.

Detective Sergeant David Post
Reno County Sheriff's Office Hutchinson, Kansas

September 20, 2016

Shark it was a honor to have known you. It really hurts me to think of your wife and kids not seeing you again. You were an awesome Police officer and great boss, leading from the front! You served the citizens of Detroit with honor. Rest in Peace brother.

Corporal Howard W. Sweeney III
City of Detroit Police Department

September 20, 2016

May God bless Sgt. Steil, his wife, and two sons. Thoughts and prayers to all those that loved him and for all the men and women of the Detroit Police Department. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we owe Sgt. Steil for his selflessness and dedication to the service of others.

Chief Robert Neumann
University of Michigan Police Department

September 20, 2016

My brother in blue, God rest for you are never forgotten. May your memory be eternal and life's lessons ever lasting.

Inspector 436 PA Gust
US Customs- Detroit

September 20, 2016

RIP Sir. May God be with your Family and loved ones. Rest easy now.

Officer Steven Austin
Lawrence TWP P.D. (NJ)

September 20, 2016

Sgt Steil, Rest in peace brother. I believe I have seen you a couple of times at the VAMC here in Detroit. I believe I have spoken to you on the phone once about a Health and Welfare for a veteran. Even if I haven't our blood runs blue together. I was a MA dog handler in the USN and a police officer here at the VAMC in Detroit for eight years, before being medically retired. I dispatch officers now into the harms way that you and I have faced many times before. Maybe not together but as protectors and servers of the veterans here in Detroit. God speed Sgt Steil as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten. I fully intend to stop and pay respects to you and your family if I can.

OFFICER TERRY F. ZECH (RET)
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPT, DETROIT MICHIGAN

September 19, 2016

"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

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 (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

September 19, 2016

RIP Brother

Deputy Anita Price
Bexar County Sheriff's Office, San Antonio, Texas

September 19, 2016

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT, SERGEANT KENNETH STEIL.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Officer.
We in the law enforcement community are a family, although our uniforms may be a different style and vary in color, a badge, shield or star may be pinned upon our chest.
Our areas of enforcement may vary but our goals are the same, to Serve and Protect our communities. We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are: Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Police Officers, College Campus Police Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, college campuses, county roads, state highways, state prisons, county jails, state parks and the United States Borders.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a Law Enforcement Family, the thin blue line of protectors, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families.
Daily our position is clear that we will Serve and Protect our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of good over evil facing the unknown with courage keeping our trust and our faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for Law Enforcement is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
ALL LIVES MATTER - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD BE RESPECTED - If we don't respond to that call for help, or investigate that suspicious subject(s), or stop for that stranded motorist, or rush to that call of shots fired then who will?
SERGEANT STEIL
You did not die in vain.
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens of Detroit in the State of Michigan with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION.
I'm proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I'm proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I'm proud to have Served and Protected my community as you did.
I'm proud to call you my BROTHER!
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do..........Serving and Protecting your community with Honor and Pride making a better and safer place for us all.
FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR IT, "LIFE HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WITH NEVER KNOW".
FINAL CALL
Sergeant Steil status...........Sergeant Steil status............. Sergeant Steil status..............Attention All Units.............. Detroit Police Department, Sergeant Kenneth Steil having served the citizens of Detroit in the State of Michigan with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION is now 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

September 19, 2016

Another SOLDIER taken too early...God Bless You Sergeant Steil. I grew up next door in Melvindale and moved to the west coast with the NAVY. I did not know you Sir, but I feel like a piece of home was taken away! Prayers for you and your family.

---The Thin Blue Line

Sgt. Gregg Crandall
Fremont Police Department, Fremont, CA

September 19, 2016

Godspeed. Thank you for your service. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

PO Chris Salisbury
Dearborn Police Dept.

September 19, 2016

A real "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det. Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County Police Dept, NY

September 19, 2016

Sgt Steil was a good man. I've known him only a year. I am a civilian name Aquilah Ready and work at the 9th Precinct. I give my condolences to the family. A good man gone to soon.

Aquilah Ready-Executive Secretary
Ninth Precinct

September 19, 2016

Rest in Peace My Brother in Blue. Evil will never prosper as long as Brave Men such as yourself stand for good.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be Called Sons of God."
Matthew 5:9

A/ Sergeant D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

September 19, 2016