By Mark Schaaf
Milawaukee Journal Sentinel
WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Steve Bauer loved being a police officer.
It showed - not only on duty, but off - throughout his 15 years in the West Allis Police Department. His pleasant attitude made him well-liked among other officers. Virtually no one had any problems with him, they said.
In the line of duty, he had a knack for “de-escalating” the type of hostile situations officers often handle, said his supervisor, police Capt. Tom Kukowski.
“He had a quiet manner about him that just brought people to a level where they were not disagreeable or angry at the police,” Kukowski said.
“I can honestly say that he was the only adult I’ve ever known who did not have an enemy in the world.”
Even when he fell ill, Bauer didn’t want a little thing like brain cancer to keep him from work. He was known for, one way or another, making his way over to the police station because he missed it and wanted to at least hang around, even if he couldn’t do any work.
Wrestling with emotion
Bauer, 49, died last week surrounded by his family after four-plus years battling cancer.
The third-youngest of 11 siblings, Bauer was father of three sons and married to Margaret for 26 years. His greatest joy was spending time with family, hunting, fishing and attending his sons’ sporting events, family members said.
Two days following Steve’s death, his son Tyler wrestled for Nathan Hale in an emotional match against crosstown rival West Allis Central.
Dozens of family members and friends turned out wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Bauer name to cheer on Tyler, whose two brothers served as captain for the day. Afterward, his mother was presented a bouquet of flowers and card signed by each wrestler.
Close ties at work
When he wasn’t with family, he was with colleagues who were almost like family.
Bauer worked his way up the ranks into the day shift as patrol officer in the West Allis Police Department. His work ethic and personality made it all the more crushing when the department learned of the cancer, Kukowski said.
“Once the diagnosis was confirmed, it was devastating,” Kukowski said. “It just reinforces that only the good die young.”
Bauer’s legacy isn’t necessarily at an end.
His love of police work made enough of an impression that his son Jacob hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and also become a police officer.
Copyright 2009 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel