Steve Holcomb died in July 2001. After graduating he worked at Amerock and Ingersoll Milling Machine and quickly tired of that. He joined the Army, training at Fort Knox and Fort Eustis.

He served his country overseas in Thailand. He was "All-Thai" center on his Army football team.  When he got out of the Army he didn't know what he wanted to do and asked my advice. I told him, "Well you like to fight and drive crazy, why not get paid for it. Be a cop." He joined the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department and received the "Deputy of the Year" award given by the Rockford Board of Realtors. Steve was a true professional when on duty. Off-duty he was a normal guy, no John Wayne syndrome here.

Steve was my best friend for many years, from hunting and fishing as kids up to our drinking and hell-raising years. He would have laid down his life for a friend. When I tell my wife and kids that I had more fun with Steve Holcomb, whether drinking and driving motorcycles and racing around in our cars than I've ever had in my life, she just shakes her head. There were many nights we should have been killed but God didn't let that happen.

Steve, thanks for your friendship and all the good memories. No man could ever ask for a better friend than you.   ----Ken Nelson