WHEREAS, On April 29, 1960, Steve Cox was born in Seattle,
Washington; and
WHEREAS, A 1978 graduate of Evergreen High School, Cox earned a
bachelor's degree from Central Washington University and a law degree
from Willamette University; and
WHEREAS, Cox's passions in life were his family, serving his
community, working on his rental properties, exercising, loving his
dogs Luna and Danny, and being a devoted husband and father; and
WHEREAS, After working as a deputy prosecutor and a city
prosecutor, Cox traded in his law degree for a police badge, fulfilling
his lifelong dream; and
WHEREAS, Cox devoted the last nine years of his life to being a
Deputy with the King County Sheriff's Office; and
WHEREAS, The last three years brought him back to his old
neighborhood, White Center, where resident Ricardo Guarnero said he was
trying to make a difference by giving the "community a sense it could
overcome its problems and stigmas"; and
WHEREAS, To the residents of White Center; his wife, Maria; son,
Bronson; and stepdaughter, Nicole, he became a "Superman" who was
making the streets safer and neighborhoods better; and
WHEREAS, As President of the North Highline Unincorporated Area
Council, the only publicly elected body in the White Center-Boulevard
Park area, he won a Community Builder Award from the Seattle
Neighborhood Group, and actively participated in the creation of the
Weed and Seed Program; and
WHEREAS, According to Sheriff Sue Rahr, Cox "epitomized the concept
of community policing and giving back to the residents where he worked.
Deputy Steve Cox cannot be replaced"; and
WHEREAS, He cut across class and color lines -- treating his patrol
area as his extended family -- and residents felt the same respect for
and admiration toward Cox, whose call sign was "Ida 41"; and
WHEREAS, Many of his colleagues referred to him as "the hardest
working deputy sheriff any of us has ever worked with"; and
WHEREAS, On December 2, 2006, Cox lost his life in the line of
duty, leaving the residents of White Center grief stricken, but
inspired to carry on his legacy; and
WHEREAS, A testament to his goal of uniting his community,
thousands attended his memorial service at the Christian Faith Center
in SeaTac on December 8th; and
WHEREAS, In the words of Governor Christine Gregoire, Cox was "the
embodiment of the best in public service";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That Deputy Cox's legacy will be
that working with police in the spirit of mutual respect is possible;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That "Ida 41" is gone, but will never be
forgotten; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the King
County Sheriff's Office and Steve Cox's wife, Maria.