Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

hi uncle howie! i have written to you a couple of times in here and i just like being able to write to you! You have been in the newspaper a couple few times this month and it makes me sad but i like that you are still being honored. I think about you always and it makes me sad..i can not imagine how aunty and the kids feel. Even though they are sad they are going VERY good i believe. We all really miss you though. A couple weekends ago mick came over! i love her we have so much fun together. We had yummy mexican food! She is so funny. We are going to be seeing them tonight..we go there quite a bit now. They are going to have a memorial for you it is along a creek i believe and since you LOVED the outdoors they are dedicating it to you for your hard work. Its going to be very nice. I doubt this will be the last time i write in this because i just like being able to go to this and tell you things. I just want you to know we are always here for aunty kathy and the kids. I love you so much. xoxo.
love always,
Sov

neice,sovauhna ferguson

March 19, 2005

Howie, It has been a little over 2 months since God called you for duty in Heaven. We are all taking things a day at a time, and getting back to the job we all need to do.
I found out the awful news about you and Sam being shot, and the heart-breaking news that you were dead from my husband. He knew what that news would mean for me, as my "family" at CPD was always important to me, even after we moved north. Even though "Mom" was my nickname around the PD, I felt it was also my title, and I tried (and still try) to be there for all of you if you ever needed my help.
I was a still-green EMT when I first started working in Ceres, and had the good fortune to run a few calls with you. You impressed me with your great sense of humor, but also your professionalism and your quiet dignity. Those qualities never changed. You impacted so many of the officers from Ceres in so many ways. Each one of them will carry a little of you with them, from your sense of humor, your eye for detail, your guidance for those that will follow. How many of them were your trainees, and are now FTO's? They will pass on your lessons to their trainees.
You can be proud of Kathy and the kids. They are perhaps the strongest of us all. Kathy's statement of "They've taken Howard, they're not taking anything more from me", will ring forever in my ears. If I lose my CHP officer husband, I hope that I can keep that same resolve to get me and my family through.
Little did I know when I did all those ride-alongs, taking pictures, and getting to know everyone better, that some of those pictures would be used to share your life. When I opened the album to find pictures to send, I found a paper with your name and the numbers of pictures that you had wanted copies of. Those were the ones I sent.
Thank you Howie for all you did for us.

Thank you God, for giving us Howie.

Virginia Hansen, MICP
American Medical Response

March 17, 2005

Howie,

It has taken a while for your death to sink in with me. I remember hearing the news the morning after the incident and although I was 1400 miles away, I crumbled to my knees in tears. Howie, I still can't believe this has happened to you and your family. I left a reflection on this site a few months ago, but the only words I could muster were brother officer and hero. Howie, your are much more than a brother officer and a hero. You are a husband, father, brother, son, and uncle. You are a friend, mentor, roll model, and leader. You are so much to so many.

Howie, I have never expressed, publicly, how much I appreciated your friendship and your compassion towards me an my family during the loss of my brother, Jason, in 1991. You investigated this incident and shared in our pain. You took me under your wing and helped me through this difficult time. I will never forget our Bishop trip after this incident. We rode together and you talked with me and cried with me. I will never forget that.

I remember my days as an explorer. You were one of my favorites. I remember working with you as a new officer when you were a new corporal. What a blast that was! I loved to work for you. You were a stand up guy, and a man always knew where he stood with you.

Howie, your funeral was amazing! I have never seen such a sight. Everyone was there, all the guys from back in the day. It was good to see them and grieve with them.

Finally, Howard, I remember the last time I saw you. It was in July, just six months prior to your death. I am so glad that I was able to visit with you and Cathy at the gathering at the Legion Hall. We were there to celebrate the life of another friend, Tom Moore. The next day, I was visiting with a mutual friend and he told me that we'll never have friends like those we have from our days as Peace Officers. He said that no other friend would so willingly go into a deadly situation to save a friend in need. Howie, those words ring prophetic for me now. That is what you did on that fateful night. There could be no greater demonstration of love and friendship.

It seems as though we have lost so many: Howard Stevenson, Jared Puryear, Tom Moore, Kenneth Madewell, and John Chapman. It is hard, being so far away, to grieve for those who have impacted my life so much. But, my friends, be assured that I have never and will never forget you. I carry you in my heart every day. Howard, you are a part of me too, and you will live on with me until the day I meet you and other loved ones in the beyond. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Jeremy Gatlin, Ceres PD 1989-1997

Jeremy Gatlin, Ceres PD, Retired
Norman, Oklahoma

March 14, 2005

Howie,

Words can't express the sorrow we all feel. I wish I could have gotten to know you better during your time with us. Your brothers at CPD have nothing but great things to say about you and the way you did your job.

I was there the night we lost you and hope we did you right by our actions. Your funeral was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, you were truly honored as a hero. I wish there were more like you out there to back the rest of us up.

Rest in peace brother. You will never be forgotten.

Det MGR
SCSD

March 12, 2005

You are truly a hero and gave your life for your brothers and for your community. May God bless and continue to bless your family and the Ceres Police Department.

Deputy Brock Condit
Stanislaus County Sheriff

March 11, 2005

Thinking about you and your family and friends during this most difficult time. Please look after them all. God Bless.

Daughter of a Sgt

March 11, 2005

Although, I only had the oppertunity to work with Sgt. Stevenson on a few occassions, he impacted me as a person with his kind demeanor. He will be missed!!

Detective Dennis Cordova
Stanislaus County Sheriff

March 11, 2005

Howie, may god bless your soul and watch out for your family. Your death was tragic. It has touched not only your fellow officers, but, the whole community. I want to thank you for protecting my family, while I couldn't. Rest in Peace now, while we now protect yours. Dan

Deputy Daniel V. Hilgen
Stanislaus County Sheriff Office

March 11, 2005

Thank you Howie for the ultimate sacrifice. You could not have known that fateful day as you went to work that it would be your last. I believe even if you could have forseen it, you would not have shyed away from responding to fellow brother's in need. You will always be a hero in my eyes as is each peace and public officer that protects the citizens of this country day in and day out. God bless.

Deputy Sheriff
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Dept.

March 11, 2005

Howie,
I waited until now for this posting to show you will never be forgotten. We really miss you brother. After responding to the "11-99" that fateful night, the only thought that crossed my mind is that I wish I was beside you fighting back or falling with you. I remember the time while you and I attended a Tactical Shotgun Instructor School, you, tough as nails, continued to shoot full power 12 gauge shotgun shells on day 5, even after taking my "low recoil" rounds for a spin.Your my hero, warrior, brother and truly honored public servant. I look forward to seeing you after my work is done here.

Frank Soria
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department

Deputy Sheriff
Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office

March 4, 2005

Never forget!

BJ
Police Netherlands

March 4, 2005

How, you were always our hero!!!! We luv & miss you more than words can express.We have pulled together like you would expect & we are stronger people because of what you've taught us
throughout the years.Bryce is doing great in college, Mick is doing superb as always & is getting ready for softball & knows that you will be right there in spirit,Megan is doing great as well & just got her first apartment & is looking forward to her first semester in college.WE see carmen & your parents often, as you would expect we are all supporting each other.The ceres police department has become our second family & we love them so much & are so thankful for each & every one of them!!We have received so many cards & letters it will take us a lifetime to thank everyone.We pray every night that all will be safe.We know your with GOD & will see you when our work is done. LOVE ALWAYS & FOREVER YOUR SOULMATE & KIDS. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

wife & kids of Sgt. Howie Stevenson

March 3, 2005

Oye primo,

Vaya con dios mi primo y hermano espiritual. Me hara te faltas. You lived your life true as I aim to do. I will cherish the memories more than ever. Words cannot express how proud I am of you. I join you as you watch over U.Steve, A.Phyllis, Carmen, Kathy, Mick, Megan & Bryce. Con mucho amor y abrazos fuertes, prima Lori.

Cousin Lori Pino

Lori Pino

March 3, 2005

God be with you and your family always. I leave this verse for you and your brother officers.

" BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD." Mathew 5;9.

Deputy J. Mamon
San Bernardino County Sheriff

March 3, 2005

I have only been a police officer for 4 months. 2 weeks ago I cleared my training program. I work graveyard.

I went to Sgt. Stevenson's Memorial. It was a wake up call to me early in my career.

If I ever went down, I hope the people around me could say the same thing as they said about Sgt. Stevenson.

Officer Jason Hensley
Escalon PD

March 3, 2005

Thank you for your time with us. You are a hero to many. Rest in peace brother.

Deputy C. Doyle
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, AR

March 2, 2005

God bless you and your family. Rest in peace warrior.

wife of former officer
Douglasville, GA

March 1, 2005

Sgt. Stevenson,

Rest in peace Sergeant. May god watch over your family, friends and brothers in blue. You will always be missed and never forgotten. Godspeed

PSO Ryan Erwin
Watauga DPS, Watauga TX

February 27, 2005

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....

TROOPER I - ELI GARCIA
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

February 25, 2005

Even though I never knew you...you are still a brother officer, who unselfishly gave your life to defend others. God be with your family and loved ones. We will not allow you to be forgotten.

Psalm 140

SGT. RONNY LARUE
LUFKIN, TEXAS POLICE DEPARTMENT

February 24, 2005

continued accidentally messed up))
you were great uncle! i miss and love you! always are and always will be in my heart. xoxox
Always,
your neice sovauhna

sovauhna Ferguson

February 22, 2005

hi uncle howie. it was your birthday a few days ago and it was so weird that you were not here. ijust wanted to leave a happy birthday anyways.Happy Birthday Uncle Howie! Im still getting used to everytime we see aunty and mik and bryce and your not there. seems like everytime our family got together you were there wasnt like we just saw aunty. but now we do and its just hard.

Sovauhna Ferguson

February 22, 2005

It was my pleasure to know Howard in his formative years. My two sons were close in age and grew up with Howard. I was a Detective Sergeant at the time and Howard was very interested in Law Enforcement. Living right across the street from each other we saw him Howie a lot and loved him so much. May God bless and keep you Howie, Kirtm, Kent, and Kassy miss you so. Love Wally & Louise

Captain Ret. W.B. Wally Goold
Shasta County Sheriffs Office

February 21, 2005

Howie,
I’m not sure anyone of us can really describe to you the anger and devastation we all felt when we were told you had left us. I know I was in utter disbelief. You will be proud to know that Kathy – in the midst of her intense grief – has stood as an “oak” as most have described it – strong for your family, strong for your friends. Your house turned into a command post after you left, with your closest friends and loved ones standing with Kathy while many filtered in and out – even from as far away as D.C.
If you taught us anything, it was how to work as a team. We have tried to do this as we dealt with the questions in our minds. Kathy had us all over to your place for one last barbecue in your honor. The oysters were never cooked because you were not there to cook them – it wasn’t the same without you.
On the day we were headed to respect you, the radio mentioned your name several times and played the song “Rest High Upon the Mountain”. There’s no way they could’ve known just how appropriate it was.
There was an incredible service for you, with law enforcement officers from all over the state and even country to honor you. We all winced as the Chief choked back tears while speaking directly to you. We are seeing a side of him we never knew existed since you left. This service reminded us that the impact you made was broad. I know how you’ve trained and mentored me, but hearing how you’ve impacted others was amazing. We all were given the chance to see that we were only a small slice of your life and that your life outside of the police department was just as influential. You’ve touched so many other people in ways I never knew. From things like “come back anytime” impacting one to your debates over “seen and saw” with another, you clearly have influenced everyone who’d met you.
What a procession there was that day. It is said to have been an hour and a half long and there were agencies there like “Boise, Idaho”. Our faith was renewed in the community that day, Howie. Children stood streetside with signs like “Thank you, Sergeant Stevenson for protecting us”. Caltrans workers held their hats over their hearts, people at the recycling plant stood on metal bails with heads and hearts hung low. People held signs and flags throughout Ceres thanking you. I don’t think anyone in that procession could have had much composure at that point. Complete strangers who never knew you like we did came out in droves to honor you and hail you a hero.
We about froze out at the cemetery. I remembered your words, “We train rain or shine” and I believe that helped us all to stand tall. Every day you were here you put your mark in some small way on the department, on each of us. You worked at change in a methodical way and change is sweeping the department now- even after you’re gone.
I have never seen so much visible raw emotion. At the cemetery the P.A. crackled out of the silence, “S-143 Ceres…” but the call went unanswered. Thoughts of the night you were taken from us went through our minds.
We are trying to be strong and unafraid, as I am sure you would teach us. But losing someone like you can only be described as having the rug pulled from underneath your feet. I know I can speak for everyone when I say you were probably the last officer we ever expected to lose. You taught most of us how to be safe. You devoted your career to training – surely you can teach us something through this. I think we are struggling to grasp that.
I admire the way you prepared your family. It has taught me that I should be doing the same. I know there is only so much you can do for that, but what can be done must be. I want you to know that your influence does not end here. Every person I have a chance to train or any of the rest of us who have learned from you – their career will bear your mark.
Thank you for the impact you’ve made on each of our lives. We will each miss you terribly but your imprint on us will continue on. The Chief may have cleared you to secure out there on that cold day, but I know you will still be riding with each of us every day.

Officer James KempVanEe
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

February 18, 2005

Howie, You were so special and will always hold a special place in my heart. You were a great friend to my family and will never be forgotten. I have so many memories with you and your family. You are a true hero and a great Sergeant. I will be with you again someday in Heaven.

Ceres Police Dispatcher and Wife of fell
Ceres PD

February 14, 2005