Sergeant Craig Williams Stevenson

He was born in La Paz, Bolivia, to Julian and Karen Stevenson. As a child, Sgt. Stevenson lived and travelled throughout the world and the United States with his U.S. Army family.

Sergeant Stevenson is survived by his beloved children Connor and Cydney and his parents of Amelia Island, Florida. Other survivors include his sister, Carrie (Todd) Stevenson Foley, of Alexandria, VA, and his loving companion, Karen Brown.

An accomplished public servant, Lima Police Department Sergeant Craig Stevenson, leaves behind an important legacy of family, country and community.

A decorated 19-year Lima Police Department veteran, Sergeant Stevenson joined the Lima Police as a patrolman in 1990. He was promoted to Detective in 1996 and then promoted again to Sergeant in 2001. He was a member of the SWAT team and a CVSA (Computer Voice Stress Analyzer) Examiner. During his service with the police department he received numerous awards, including:

1. Meritorious Certificate - Medal Bravery Award

2. Meritorious Certificate - Merit Award - 05/12/99

2. Meritorious Certificate - Distinguished Achievement - 02/06/02

3. Meritorious Certificate - Certification Award (Bike Team Member) - 05/17/05

4. Meritorious Certificate - Perfect Attendance Award - 05/17/05

He also completed advanced training in a host of areas, including:

1. Law Enforcement Officers Training School - 04/09/90

2. Doppler Radar Operation - 11/06/92

3. Civil Disorder - Preparation and Training - 08/13/93

4. Ohio Criminal Gang Law Training - 04/30/99

5 North Coast Polytechnic Institute - Search & Seizure - 03/16/01

6. Public Agency Training Council - First Line Supervision - 06/18/03

7. Criminal Justice Center - Crowd Management - 01/27/06

An officer in the United States Army Reserve, Sergeant Stevenson was called to active duty not long after joining the Lima police force, and served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as Second Lieutenant and Platoon Leader during the Desert Shield/Storm Campaign. He served as commander of the 375th Military Police Detachment and received a U. S. Army Commendation Medal for combat operations. He was Honorably Discharged from the US Army Reserve as a Captain.

Sergeant Stevenson was the son of retired career US Army Intelligence Officer and Vietnam veteran, Colonel Julian Stevenson, and Karen Stevenson. One of his proudest moments occurred when he was “pinned,” ceremoniously receiving his jump wings after completing Army Paratrooper training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, by his father also an Army Paratrooper.

Sergeant Stevenson received a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from John Carroll University. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Xi Fraternity. He also graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida where he played football, was a member of the wrestling and debate team, and an Eagle Scout of BSA.

Funeral services will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 5, 2010 at Siferd-Orians Funeral Home, with Rev. Jim Neighbors, officiating.

Friends and family can call Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 2-4 p.m. and again 6-8 p.m. at the Siferd-Orians Funeral Home 506 N. Cable Rd. Lima with an FOP service Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Sergeant Stevenson’s final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery.

Condolences can be made at www.siferd-oriansfuneralhome.com Preferred memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society,