Deputy Cox defined the model of community policing. In the two years that we have operated Caf/ Rozella, in the heart of White Center, we had multiple interactions with him.

Almost single-handedly, Cox gave us and our patrons a sense of security that no amount of policing would have done. When we had issues, drug-dealing, prostitution, violence, Cox would respond immediately. So attuned was he to the community that he gave us his direct cell-phone number to call him should issues arise. Issues did arise and Cox never hesitated to try get at the root of the problem. He was always there for us.

White Center has suffered a grievous loss. It seems banal to say it, but it is a truism, nobody can replace Steve Cox and what he meant to this community. Cox respected the members of this community and never discounted our concerns.

At the same time, he did not pull punches. If there was a bad-apple peddling dope or gang-bangers intimidating people, Cox would do his home-work and would take down anyone who merited a visit to the county jail.

He seemed fearless. Tall and strong, he evoked images of a John Wayne in our midst. He knew everyone by name - good guys and bad. If I called, he would respond, "Ricardo, I'll be right there." We felt safer having Cox on patrol.

Others can speak more eloquently to the efforts that he made to help the community in its efforts to improve safety. He attended all the community safety meetings and engaged with everyone here - those complaining of crime and those who the community complained about. He knew the bad apples by name and would talk to them directly. Everyone knew that he meant action but that he also respected you as a human being.

He grew up in this community and he had faith in it. As a result, people grew to believe that this did not have to be a blighted community. People took his example to heart and came to believe that we could make a difference. I could quote endless statistics on how much crime has dropped in White Center. Some measure of that progress has to go to Cox and his involvement in community policing.

On a more personal level I feel as if I've lost a good friend. I know that many others here feel the same way. Steve Cox was good man and this world is poorer because of his death. May he rest in peace and may his family find strength in the loss that we all feel.

Ricardo Guarnero

Cafe Rozella