MsUnderestimated - Latest Comments in And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:51:53 -0000

B&K;:

Thank you for your kind comments. You describe the Step I knew so well. He had a huge heart, and heaven has one serious protector now. You are right; he was never racist at all. He was just a good man doing a hero's job.

I was so happy to hear the Patriot Guard Riders chose his funeral to be the first-ever LE funeral they participated in. It was quite an honor, and the group was amazed at the number of friends, family, and admirers Step left behind. They felt honored just to be part of it.

Thanks for stopping by. I just removed the registration requirement from my site at the request of a few others.

Write anytime.

Ms.U

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

B&K — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:22:32 -0000

We don't know you...or maybe we do, but didn't connect the site to you; we wanted to add our two cents.

Step & Kel are friends of ours, so we know the real man. Those who didn't know Step, have no right to suggest he might be racist. He wasn't, and he never approached his job that way. He was as equal opportunity as they come. He was just very dedicated in ALL he became involved with...and yes, he was very intense. As candid as he was when we hung out or in internet chats, he never said ANYTHING which might be considered racially motivated. Yes, he had great police stories, but he'd rather talk about his car or his wife. THAT was the Step we knew.

Nearly six months later, it still hurts. I'm still haunted by the loss of someone so young, so funny and so protective of his friends. I still haven't deleted his number from my phone...its strange. Yet, whatever it is that bothers me about his death, is nothing compared to how his wife and family feels about the loss; the future left unfinished, the questions yet answered. Why?

That night at the funeral home, as I touched his chest and said goodbye, I was angered - but resolved to be an even better person. I realized that with all the people in the funeral home, the funeral and the coverage it received, that Step touched more people than he could ever imagine. He was a hero, but never acted like one to his friends. It became so much clearer to me: ordinary people can do extraordinary things! Peace!

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:06:38 -0000

Kate says:

July 6th, 2006 at 4:22 pm

Ms. U,

My sincere condolences to this fine officer’s family…May he rest in peace and watch over y’all like an angel from above.

I just wish I was not reading some of the mean comments… (a response to the original post - Ms. U) I understand from where you are coming and venting your anger through your grief.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:05:30 -0000

Joan says:

July 6th, 2006 at 3:26 pm

First of all, let me express my sympathy for not only a life, but for the life of one whose job was to protect us from the criminals roaming our streets. It is fortunate that ‘Step’ was able to reduce the number of ‘Wanted’ by one before he died.

Louisiana is a state well known for its corruption in government since the days of Huey Long many years ago. The damage done by Katrina could’ve been minimized had the money allotted for strengthening the levies been used to do just that. And could anyone in the government, state or city, explain where it went? And here we are in the beginning of another hurricane season and nothing has been done to prevent the same catastrophe from happening again.

And what did the citizens of New Orleans do? They elected that same mayor who remarkably survived Katrina. The responsibility of the deaths of those who didn’t evacuate should not be blamed on the Federal Government. It was the responsibility of Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco to see that an attempt was made to move those people, whether they wanted to go or not, from harm’s way. They failed to take control of the situation, and now tax payer dollars from the Federal Government is being handed out to those who survived. What they should be getting is job applications so they can go to work and not depend on the government to support them. The state and local governments should not be in control of any money granted for the rebuilding or the cleanup nor for making the levies stronger. That’s been done, it didn’t work, and why throw good money after bad?

As for not having a means of escape. why didn’t someone go to the bus depot where thousands of school buses were parked and hotwire them for their escape to safety? Isn’t survival one of the strongest instincts in man? Or, with the amount of advance notice these people had, they could’ve walked or even hitch hiked away from the path of the storm. No, they took the way of most people on welfare. They waited for a government that wasn’t there for them.

The article written by Ms Underestimated on this might’ve been a bit strong, possibly because of her grief over the loss of a fellow officer, but her anger was understandable. If the man who killed him was already wanted for another murder, then why had he not been captured and tried? Was an incompetent police department even another weakness of the state and/or the city?

All of this could be argued back and forth for ages and probably will be, but the lesson learned from Step’s death and from Katrina is clear. The state and city governments need some work, and men and women of integrity to do it.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:57:47 -0000

Jules says:

July 5th, 2006 at 11:05 pm

The loss of an officer like Stepnowski leaves a painful void in the hearts of the people who knew him best. We have all been diminished by his passing. He gave his life in the service of his fellow man.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:55:46 -0000

Doug says:

July 5th, 2006 at 6:40 pm

I have been a Lawrenceville, GA Officer for almost 5 years. I am employed with several former Dekalb Officers who say that Step was a great guy and officer. As a member of the Honor Guard, I was present for Step’s funeral. It is hard on even those that did not know Step, because it could happen to any of us. God be with you Step, Kellie, Mr. & Mrs. Stepnowski and all friends and family.

America, remember you call upon us to protect your homes, businesses, and families. We place our lives in jeopardy everyday when we place that uniform on.

Remember Us!
Praise Us!
Honor Us!

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:54:42 -0000

Fred says:

July 5th, 2006 at 5:19 pm

The loss of any public servant is a loss hard felt. Being a US service member myself having experienced the grief of losing a friend in the line of duty is a tough loss to deal with. Especially since public service is something fewer and fewer Americans choose to do.

The officer's comments were strong and harsh singling out a particular race of people by calling it the choclate city (Mayor Nagin's term - Ms. U) assuming that blacks are the source of all crime. He is upset and rightfully so because he lost a good friend. Was he justified singling out a race of people calling them all crooks, rapists, and murderers… no. However hindsight is 20/20 and looking back at it I am sure he is sorry for his comments. It is equally racist for people to think that because he is a white law enforcement officer from the south that he is automatically racist.

The reason why attention is brought to those displaced by katrina is because the situations they bring warrant attention. They are for the most part bottom feeders who can’t survive without government intervention. There have been well documented cases of people improperly using government funds to their own means not associated with survival. These discrepencies with these people have not been nationally brought to the attention of US citizens. My question is why. It is an infuriating problem for me to see money being wasted on these people. They are taking advantage of the laws in this country aimed at helping people so they can continue to get something for nothing.

Whats basically going to happen is our government will be forced to create new legislation that blocks easy access to gov’t funds for people displaced by natural disasters making more paperwork and checks for people who actually need it slowing the process for them to get relief making a bad time in ones life even worse.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:52:34 -0000

mike w says:

July 5th, 2006 at 4:21 pm

What a tragic loss,in the prime of his life
taken by a no-good scumbag who had no regard for public safety.

THese people come from a town that has no respect for law enforcement, and form their entire existance on how to milk the government for what they can rather than working an honest job for an honest living. Cities like atlanta, houston and all the other cities that opened their arms to these scumbag low lifes, and for what?

We watch our crime figures rise, and short of vigilante justice, we have our hands tied. The Mr chocolate mayor that went through the trouble to have people bussed back to scumville to vote should keep all these people in their own cesspool and let us have our cities back, and keep your scum in your own toilet WE DON’T WANT THEM WE DON’T NEED THEM. Maybe the next storm will finish the job the first one started

Step I hope the view from view from up there is a good one. You are deeply missed and will never be forgotten.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:48:17 -0000

Squiddy says:

July 5th, 2006 at 2:13 pm

I was a cop in New Orleans for 6 years before I got fed up with the absolute corruption, lazyness, and ignorance I saw every day. Saddly, a good portion of it was in my own precint house.

Really, there are no democrats or republicans in Chocolate City, just a long line of people with their hands out and their eyes closed, content to suckle at the government teat. It doesn’t matter to them to which party their leaders pay lip service, just as long as their check comes on the first of the month. I’ve always been a registered Democrat, and I can’t tell you how much that sort of mentality disgusts me, at the same time though, I get sick and tired of people thinking that the average Dem supports this kind of non-sense.

But, I’m getting off topic.

Rest Well Step, your brothers will always remember their fallen.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:44:44 -0000

cee says:

July 5th, 2006 at 2:07 pm

This is a vote of support to Ms U, it’s her site and she stated her feelings out of terrible mourning for a wonderful police officer shot down and now dead.

It doesn’t make any difference how she displayed her anger and pain - she’s FED UP with uncivilized people taking advantage of our laws; cop killers, thieves, and their ilk..

IMO it’s a hard fight law enforcment must have - just to keep the restraint for a thankless underpayed job as they risk their lives on a daily basis… As for the the Katrina victims that I dealt with, the majority were terrible, sad to say but true..

This is My opinion of how I was treated as a volutneer. To this day I can’t believe it as it was so appauling - Working to help them as they entered our city. I had water bottles thrown back at myself simply because it wasn’t coke or pepsi.. I’ve been told I don’t want what you offer it’s not good enough and we are angry…
Where is “my this, and where is my that”?? - right now!!!

I’ve seen hard working VOLUNTEERS try to help and cursed upon to no end. It was amazing, as we thought we’d be welcomed in our effort to help out… NOT.. backfire, big time… A state away and it was all our fault… Excuse me for trying… At one point a bus pulled into a store only to have the majority mob fill it up and steal all they could. (visions of looting in NO) and now it had spread across the state lines into our communities.. A bit unsettling, wouldn’t you say?

Law enforcement back up had to be called in and a decision was made to not arrest, lest a riot break out.. Just send them on to a larger city for our community COULDN’T HANDLE IT, it was too unsafe…

Let’s just call it too damn bad, tough shit, that so many citizens that were helping developed “attitudes” when treated like dirt in their efforts to help … To this I say - Deal with it - reality does bite… And there is nothing worse than helping someone only to realize how freaking ungrateful they are… It is this type, in this catagory that Ms U refers to..

I don’t see anywhere in her statements where she refers all of NO citizens, just the uncivilized ones, which obviously was encountered in GA…

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:42:23 -0000

booboo says:

July 5th, 2006 at 12:08 pm

Dogawful! Are you kidding me? An officer dies fighting crime and he’s a racist? How stupid are you? (a response to someone on the original post - Ms. U)

The problem is the system. Stop giving them money!! They don’t buy food and diaper with that money. They get cable TV and spinner wheel for their cars. I think the gov. should stop welfare and raise salary for police officers, fire fighters and teachers.

I live in Austin, TX and I was furious when the city decided to accept evacuees. Do you know how many homeless ppl we have in Austin? Why were they PAYING to get more of them?

R.I.P. Officer Step

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:40:12 -0000

Fee says:

July 5th, 2006 at 11:45 am

I think that people need to start taking responsibility for their actions instead of always blaming law enforcement. I’m sorry for the death of a beloved officer.

I think that America needs to get their households in order, I would have thought after 911 that we would come together as a nation and help each other and really get a sense of what it means to be an American. We have too many people who are taking whatever they can get and to hell with everyone else. And they think society owes them. JFK was the one who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Why is it our society doesn’t reflect that anymore?

I really think it’s time to get our priorities in order. If we do not, then I dread what may come as a result of our selfish/evil actions.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:39:21 -0000

Regenia, Dallas, TX says:

July 5th, 2006 at 11:06 am

I totally agree with everything you said, and I am so sorry for your loss.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 21:37:17 -0000

Dave says:

July 5th, 2006 at 9:54 am

I feel that the loss of this officer should be an awakening to all of us. He had no reason to lose his life when he was just performing his job duties. I have not had any sort of direct contact with the “refugees” from Louisana, simply because I live in Ohio. However I have done plenty of research on this topic, and I do feel that the people should go back to Louisana. I am not advocating required relocation to New Orleans, but I do think that they should not be allowed to go rampant around the country spending the “free hand-out money” they got from the U.S. Government. Not to dog the government, but they are partly to blame for this entire fiasco. You cannot go in and give out a large sum of money to people that are not used to having any money at all and tell them that they have to use it to pay for their basic needs. It would be interesting to see if the people that used that money for breast augmentation, prada handbags, x-boxes, etc, etc, etc… are the ones that resorted to violence to gain what they needed or if the violence stemmed directly to people that have resorted to it in the past. Once again I am sorry for the loss of officer “Step”, and am sure that the impact will be felt forever.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:59:11 -0000

Nightbeat says:

July 5th, 2006 at 5:10 am

MsUnderestimated,

Don’t let these accusations of “racism” get to you. That is an indictment that is slowly -but surely- becoming less and less relevant. I have dealt with these precious NOLA “evacuees” and trust me when I say, I can feel your pain.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:58:39 -0000

Joyce says:

July 5th, 2006 at 5:02 am

Ms Underestimated,

Anyone with eyes that work can see that the criminals of New Orleans (and there were alot as we found out) were forced to find other places to wreak their havoc. Sadly they chose Georgia and poor Step ran into them. I hate scumbags. And the people posting trying to make that scumbag into a victim are scum too. It boils down to this….there is “right” and there is “wrong”. Good people do right. Scumbags do wrong. And they usually do it over and over again. So good riddance to that scum POS.

My condolences to the family of this fine officer. May Step rest in peace at the right hand of God, where he can lay down his guns because there is no crime in Heaven.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:55:08 -0000

111Detroit_Survivor says:

July 5th, 2006 at 3:20 am

My deepest condolences go out to the officer’s family, friends, and co-workers. Living in Detroit, I know how hard it is for the police force. It is a never-ending battle that often takes the lives of those who are trying to do the right thing.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:53:25 -0000

Bouj says:

July 5th, 2006 at 3:00 am

I’ll first say I am a proud True-Blue Democrat living at Ground Zero for the Katrina refugee phenomenon, Houston.

For anyone reading any of this who hasn’t had a run-in or any personal experience with the refugees, well, you should just head over to the west side of Houston. Bring a bulletproof vest. Crime is up (by 25%). That’s rape, murder, robbery. The worst of the worst came to Houston and are wrecking havoc.

No, not all the refugees are bad people, but enough of them are low-class trashy criminals. And while I think Ms. U might be a bit off on blaming Democratic policies for all the problems, she’s right about them needing to go home. I’d vote for Satan if he’d send the refugees back to NOLA.

Condolences on your loss. Your friend was a hero.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:35:09 -0000

San Francisco Bill says:

July 5th, 2006 at 12:09 am

I will ignore all those racist and/or disrespectful comments (on the original post).

Step sounds like he was a fine Police Officer - one that ANY citizen could count on for protection from the predators that feed on the good and productive citizens.

It is a classic case in the fight between Good and Evil - but it comes at a cost. Today is American Independence Day, where the Good (The Amnericans) stood up to the Evil (The British Empire). It’s the same then as it is now.

The British may no longer be Evil, and we Americans may be accused of no longer being the personification of Good - but the fight goes on.

May God bless Officer Step.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:33:54 -0000

ViperAsh50 says:

July 4th, 2006 at 11:42 pm

I remember watching 2 black policewoman on the TV during the flooding in New Orleans shopping at a looted out Wall-Mart pushing a cart down the aisle checking shoe sizes as the store was being looted by blacks and whites and when confronted with what they were doing there by a Newsman, they told the reporter in front of the camera man that they were looking for looters and this Police woman had the audacity to threaten the reporter with these words “What are you doing here?”

Nagin is the one who called New Orleans “Chocolate City” if it’s ok for Nagin to say it’s ok for anyone to say…if you don’t want to hear racist words don’t use them on each other like it’s part of your language that no other human being can use…TUFF…as far as Officer Stepowski I pray for him and his family. He gave his life fighting the good fight ….God Bless him.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:30:43 -0000

Juju says:

July 4th, 2006 at 10:34 pm

Many hugs to you, guy.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:30:16 -0000

61Cao says:

July 4th, 2006 at 10:28 pm

May God bless our guys.

And the 10 commandments were written in a very specific language and ‘thou shalt not kill’ is actually ‘thou shalt not murder’. You are completely justified to protect the lives of innocents in killing someone who would attack a child; rape and or beat up or kill a woman; etc.

I just don’t understand this ‘get rid of the police and hire more teachers’ crap.

Christ, as a matter of fact, felt the soldier’s job was a respectable one.

And it was Christ who said ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:28:06 -0000

Augie says:

July 4th, 2006 at 10:00 pm

As a retired Sheriff’s detective from California I can relate to this situation.

My partner/friend was killed in a SWAT operation and I will never forget Lonny Brewer, as you will never forget Step.

The parasites from Katrine have also infected California and have increased the crime and gang rate dramatically.

If Nagin wants a “chocolate city” then come and round up your animals. Your “chocolate city” is not what others want nor do we want your lying, stealing element.

RIP Step…….brother in blue.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:26:59 -0000

amanda says:

July 4th, 2006 at 9:35 pm

I am truly sorry for your loss. I do want you to know that you are very right about what you said, but it is not all of louisiana it is just the people from new orleans. I am from a small town about an hour north of new orleans and after the hurricane we also got a lot of people from new orleans. they are just hurting our small town that was forgotten through all of the chaos of the hurricane. our crime rate went up tremdosly. they are all in our public schools making it much harder for the kids to learn. they are trying to take us down with them. so, it is not all of louisiana it is just new orleans, and to be honest i say we find a island somewhere and throw all of them on it and watch them bitch and moan because none of them know how to take care of them selves. it is time to take them all off of welfare and assitanice because it is just a waste of my tax money. once agian i am very sorry for your lose and i will keep you and all of his family in my prayers.

Re: And Katrina Takes Another - In Memory of “Step” (VIDEO)

MsUnderestimated — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 20:25:38 -0000

Tank says:

July 4th, 2006 at 9:34 pm

Ms.U, I’m very sorry for your loss. I have several relatives and friends in law enforcement and they are all heros.

BTW, in Houston, violent crime is up 35% since Katrina. My hometown, not Houston, gave Katrina evacuees free bus passes to anywhere they wanted to go. It was the best tax dollars we ever spent.