Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Dennis Stepnowski was shot during a foot chase of a suspect at a Stone Mountain apartment complex on North Hairston Road at approximately 7:00 pm. The suspect opened fire on Detective Stepnowski during the chase, wounding him.
Despite being fatally wounded, Detective Stepnowski returned fire and killed the suspect.
Detective Stepnowski was taken to DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur where he died from his wounds.
The investigation revealed that the suspect was wanted for a previous murder in Louisiana.
Detective Stepnowski had served with the Dekalb County Police Department for 12 years and was a member of the SWAT unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-0AC30BBE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Stepnowski gave the DeKalb County Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucker community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Stepnowski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Dennis Carmen Stepnowski is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At DeKalb County Police Department, 16 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis Carmen Stepnowski's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis Carmen Stepnowski Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis Carmen Stepnowski is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis Carmen Stepnowski was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from DeKalb County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
