Sullen skies were overcome by inspirational words forever inscribed in stone to remember fallen King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox, known for his relentlessness as a crime fighter and passion for improving White Center, his childhood home and beat as a deputy.

Bronson, Deputy Cox’s five-year-old son, spoke with poise well beyond his years at he addressed the large crowd of family, friends, colleagues and elected officials gathered at Steve Cox Memorial Park on May 15:

“Thank you for remembering my dad as a hero,” Bronson said as his mother and Steve’s widow, Maria, stood behind with a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Deputy Cox was killed in the line of duty on December 2, 2006 and five years later marked the unveiling of his stone monument, created by artist Jay Haavik with stone supplied from Marenakos Rock Center. The event was put on by the North Highline Unincorporated Council (NHUAC), of which Deputy Cox was president at the time of his passing.

Five massive stones seem to rupture from the earth to create the homage to Deputy Cox. In Haavik’s telling the largest, jutting out at a 45 degree angle, represents White Center. It is supported by a stone Haavik said represents Deputy Cox which is inscribed with his badge and the words, “In Honor of Deputy Steve Cox, I-41 (his radio code), End of Watch December 2, 2006.”

Three other stones rise from the ground, one marked with a brief biography of the beloved White Center guardian and two others inscribed with inspirational quotes Deputy Cox used to guide his disciplined and generous life. Deputy Cox’s brother Ron said the quotes were compiled by Steve as a teenager and encased in a 3x5 inch frame that he kept with him throughout his life. The quotes speak to a driven man that believed, through hard work, anything was possible.

“The big honor in working on this project was getting to know about Steve Cox … to learn about his life and the wonderful things that he did,” Haavik said at the ceremony.

Deputy Cox’s son Bronson began the ceremony by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by speakers including Steve’s brother Ron Cox, Doug Harrell of the NHUAC and Major James Graddon of the King County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Cox’s nieces, nephews and son Bronson removed coverings to reveal the stones’ inscriptions which were then read by Deputy Cox’s law enforcement colleagues. It was an overcast, rainy Sunday afternoon but the sky let up with choreographed timing throughout the ceremony.

“The memory lives on and that is the purpose of our memorial,” Doug Harrell said, “not only to recognize and honor his service but to ensure that it is never forgotten.”

“When I think about Steve’s life and legacy I think of two words, sacrifice and service,” said King County Major James Graddon. “The thing I will take away today is we always think of those things when we think of the day-to-day sacrifice of police officers, firefighters and those in our military, but I think Steve would want more out of this today. I think he would want us to remember that there are others in our community that serve everyday like the teacher … that goes that extra mile with a troubled student, the business people … that provide a service to our community at a fair price and are just there every day, our elected officials that do the right thing, the moral and ethical thing and finally a thank you to the UAC … they work tirelessly with their efforts to make this a better place.”

“We’re here today because Steve really felt like everyday he needed to go out to the White Center community he served and make a difference to improve the community and help improve peoples lives … and I’d just like to thank you all for being here today. I’d like to thank the continuing commitment everybody has made on the council and in the Sheriff’s department to continue to honor Steve, thank you very much,” Ron Cox said.

“It will be a lasting tribute to a great man,” Harrell said.

During Deputy Cox’s funeral on December 12, 2006 Sheriff Sue Rahr spoke to family and friends mourning their fallen father, husband, officer and friend:

"One deputy told me, 'Sheriff, it's gonna take five guys to replace him.’”

To see the memorial, visit Steve Cox Memorial Park at 1321 s.w. 102nd St. in White Center.

To read more about Deputy Steve Cox’s legacy and story, check out these Highline Times articles by Tim St. Clair:

White Center mourns Cox

Deputy Cox was ‘a legend’

Steve Cox obituary