'Loved By All:' Fallen Cop, Lacey Resident Mourned 5 Years Later

LACEY, NJ — Scott Stevens worked in several areas for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, including white-collar crime, fraud, computer forensics and undercover operations. But on the five-year anniversary of his death, the OCPO remembers that Stevens was universally beloved.

"Detective Stevens was loved by all of his colleagues here at OCPO," the agency wrote on social media. "Most of all, Scott was loved by his family & friends."

Stevens, 44, sustained injuries in an accident while working. He died after nearly two weeks on life support Jan. 21, 2015, at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.

He worked in several aspects of law enforcement. Stevens was an undercover officer in the OCPO's Special Operations Group for his last five years.

Stevens was also a certified public accountant, which came in handy when pouring over financial records. He also provided valuable insight into computer forensics.

"When you look at that skill set, that's very difficult to replace," Detective Raymond Gardner said in 2015. "People like that don't come along everyday."

Stevens was born Jan. 28, 1970 in Plainfield. His family moved to Lanoka Harbor in October of that year. Stevens graduated Lacey Township High School in 1988 before earning his bachelor's of science in business administration at Seton Hall.

He began working at Ingersoll Rand and became a certified public accountant in 1995. After graduating from the police academy in 1998, Stevens began in law enforcement with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. The OCPO hired him as a detective in 1999.

Stevens was an avid sports fan and active in the community. He volunteered much of his time to coaching his son, Scott, and teammates in Lacey Little League, Lacey Pop Warner and Lacey Youth Wrestling. Stevens also loved hunting and was a lifelong owner of German Shorthair Pointer hunting dogs.

The fallen detective continues to inspire good will. Several Lacey blood drives have honored his legacy.

A month after Stevens's death, a good samaritan organized an outpouring of birthday cards for his son, who turned 11. Read more: Good Samaritan Asks For Birthday Cards For Boy Who Lost His Father

An anonymous good deed honored Stevens last year on the fourth anniversary of his death. A Forked River family ate at the Fuji Japanese Restaurant. The waitress arrived with the bill, which had a note with Stevens's badge number saying the meal was covered.

"Dinner was on our family this evening," the anonymous note said. "We do this every year in honor of a life well lived. Have a drink in memory of Scott. #3514." Read more: Anonymous Good Deed In Fallen Lacey Cop's Honor

Several agencies honored Stevens on Tuesday:

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