Prev
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
neuraspine_01krbxtpa2ky6t1zb2ad2zz1vz- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dennis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
DeKalb County Police Department has lost 33 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Dennis is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2006, 1 officer at DeKalb County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1952, with 2.
In 2006, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2006, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2006, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dennis was 33. Of the 16 killed feloniously at DeKalb County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.8 and 33; the middle age was 27.5. Dennis had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Dennis was 33. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dennis was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dennis had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 18.8% of these deaths at DeKalb County Police Department; February holds the most, 18.8%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
June holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 12%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 48.5% of all 33 deaths at DeKalb County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
DeKalb County Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, Dennis among them.
-
John Wesley Webb
Mar 16, 1919
-
Samuel Dean Gentry
Apr 8, 1925
-
Lewell S. Henderson
Aug 12, 1927
-
Miles Henry Phillips
Aug 12, 1927
-
Charles Linton Phillips
Oct 7, 1932
-
Edwin Cecil Garrison
Sep 20, 1946
-
Charles Willis Wright, Jr.
Dec 22, 1948
-
Wilford Eugene Johnson
Sep 7, 1952
-
James Charles Nix
Sep 7, 1952
-
James Lonnie Mize
Feb 6, 1954
-
Johnny Farrell Puckett, Sr.
Jul 16, 1966
-
Guy Fedrick Jones
Jun 5, 1968
-
Charles Richard Norred
Sep 8, 1971
-
William David Corn
Feb 1, 1972
-
Donald Lee Mitchell
Jul 2, 1972
-
Larry Eugene Quinn
Feb 4, 1973
-
Thomas Stanhope Atkisson
Dec 14, 1976
-
Robert Keith Hawkins
Feb 7, 1980
-
Tommy Richard Gober, Jr.
Jun 28, 1980
-
Wyndall T. Davis
Dec 3, 1981
-
Wade C. Barrett, Jr.
Apr 8, 1991
-
Richard Lee Teague
Nov 23, 1992
-
Ricardo J. Torres
Sep 13, 1998
-
Jarvis Darren Crumley
Dec 29, 1998
-
Ann Marie Guinta
Jul 20, 2002
-
Dennis Carmen Stepnowski
Jun 29, 2006
-
Eric Cecil Barker, Sr.
Jan 16, 2008
-
Ricky L. Bryant, Jr.
Jan 16, 2008
-
Ivorie Gerhard Klusmann
Aug 10, 2013
-
Kevin Jermaine Toatley
Sep 19, 2015
-
Edgar Isidro Flores
Dec 13, 2018
-
Daniel Marcus Mobley
Jan 2, 2021
-
David Rose
Aug 8, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from DeKalb County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
