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Nevada police officer dies in an off-duty traffic crash Thursday

Friday, September 19, 2008
By Steve Moyer ~ Daily Mail

Sgt. Steve Gayman

Yesterday morning, tragedy struck a Vernon County family for the second time since Aug. 25. On that day Shirley Gayman died in an ATV accident, Thursday her son, Nevada Police Sergeant Steven R. Gayman, 39, Walker, died in an accident on Route AA, about a half mile north of Dederick.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report on the accident, Gayman was driving a 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup south on AA when he failed to negotiate a curve and crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2005 Freightliner semi. He was taken by air ambulance to Barton County Memorial Hospital in Lamar where he was pronounced dead at 11:12.

The driver of the semi, Marcus W. Wilson, 24, Bolivar was taken to Nevada Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

The Nevada Police Department released a statement saying, "With deep regret, the Nevada Police Department announces the passing of Sergeant Steven R. Gayman.

"Sergeant Gayman was killed this morning in a traffic accident on AA Highway in Vernon County. Steve had been with the Nevada Police Department for the past 14 years. Steve is survived by his wife, (Errica,) and two children. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced. Gary R. Herstein, Chief of Police."

Herstein said the news was a shock to the department.

"He was a fine officer and he'll be sorely missed," Herstein said.

Comments

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we are so very sorrt to hear about officer gayman he was a wonderful person and we are very srry to hear about his tragic loss may god bless his family and they are in our prayers

janet mills and family

-- Posted by janetmills66 on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 7:56 AM

I was sorry to hear about Officer Gayman. He was a wonderful person. I knew Officer Gayman from college and I thought of him like a brother. I also know his wife from college and I would like to express my greatest sympathy for her and her children.

Angela Simpson Pulliam and Family

-- Posted by deerewoman1 on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 10:50 AM

I'm so sorry to hear of this tragic loss. I've known Steve, Officer Gayman, for years and went to school with him. He is an incredible man that loved God, his family, and life. My childhood and high school years are full of wonderful memories of Steve and his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his lovely wife Errica, their sons, and his siblings as well as the rest of their families. This is a terrible loss for all who knew Steve.

God Bless and keep you all! You are in our prayers!

Sherry Maus Millsap & Family

-- Posted by smausmillsap on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 2:03 PM

I served with Sgt. Gayman for several years. He was not only a good officer he was a good man. Our world is poorer for his passing.

His family will be in my prayers

David Peppers

-- Posted by dpeppers on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 3:49 PM

I am sure sorry to hear about Steve. I can remember when he first started with Nevada PD and saw him grow into an incredable officer-Sgt. He comes from a wonderful family and I was saddened to hear when his mother passed away. I hope the community will get involved in some way to help the Gayman family at this time. They have my prayers and sympathy. I'm sure he will be missed and I know I will miss him very much.

Art Morris (retired Police Dispatcher - 911 operator)

-- Posted by artnpd on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 4:01 PM

To Mike, Lisa and all of the family. I would like

to say that I am sorry for your loss. I did not

get to know your family until after I was grown.

I regret that I didnt know you sooner, but I

know that you have a wonderful family and I

did get to know your parents who were the finest of people, who loved God and were true to their family.

May God bless you in this time of sorrow. Your loss is so great and my words are so small.

Your cousin,

Tim Gayman

-- Posted by Tgayman on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 6:41 PM

When I met Sgt. Gayman, I was just beginning my career in law enforcement. He was the first officer to train me on different aspects of the criminal justice system and from the second I met him, I told myself that I was going to carry myself the same way he did whether I was at work or at home. I always thought that if I could be half the man he was, I would be doing alright. He was fair to everyone he met and I never saw him have a negative attitude with anyone even if they were giving him trouble. As men, we never want to show our emotions or appear weak by showing our affection towards our loved ones when we are around our peers, but Steve was the one who wasn't afraid to show his love for his family. He wasn't just a GREAT officer, he was a GREAT man and this world has truly lost a one of a kind guy. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

-- Posted by Shaneh on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 7:10 PM

I am very sorry to hear about Steve and his mother, how terrible. They say god will not give you more than you can handle and I know at times you feel like he is pushing it. But he is there, let him in.

I told my 19 year old son about this tragedy and he said he knew officer Gayman because he had his wife as a tutor and that he went to here room after school and officer Gayman was in the room alot and he really injoyed him thought he was cool and did not have the bad attitude most of our officers had. He talked to you like one of his sons if you did anything wrong.

I also went to school with Steve and grew up with his sister. My sister stayed at their house alot and we have know them since elementary. Sorry and God Bless!!!!

-- Posted by classylady on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 7:29 PM

A terrible tragedy for the community. And doesn't it seem uncanny that so many loved ones die within days or weeks of each other? It is as if broken hearts lead to more passings.

Prayers for the officer's family and others who mourn his passing.

-- Posted by perenoel1127 on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 9:42 PM

I am reeling from the news of this tragic loss.

As an administrator and teacher in Schell City, I had the privilege to know Steve Gayman as a youth, as well as his family, Duane, Shirley, Mike and Lisa. Steve was a popular student and athlete. He was respected by the staff and student body as a young man of high morals, strong leadership ability and academic achievement. His warmth and outgoing personality was such a bright spot in the school halls. His success in law enforcement comes as no surprise.

My children, Teresa Fagan Curtis and AJ extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Erica, his sons, Mike and Lisa. We pray for God to comfort you, to give you strength and to keep you in His care through the dark days you are experiencing and the deep grief which now engulfs you.

Nancy (Fagan) Black

-- Posted by NianCoun on Fri, Sep 19, 2008, at 11:50 PM

I worked with Sgt. Gayman for 4 years at the Police Dept., starting out as a dispatcher then going on to the Academy to become a police officer. I am sorry for the Gayman's loss and will keep them in my prayers. I was born and raised in Nevada and until 4 years ago lived there. I am sadden that we lost a good officer. He will be missed.

-- Posted by lisaann on Sat, Sep 20, 2008, at 1:23 AM

My name is Jeff Brooks. I was a Nevada Police Officer several years ago. I had the great pleasure of working under Sgt Gayman. I can honestly say, that he was a supervisor who always trusted his officers. Sgt Gayman will be greatly missed. As for Sgt Gayman's family, they are all in my prayers.

Jeff Brooks

Phelps County Sheriff Department #226

-- Posted by pcsd226 on Sat, Sep 20, 2008, at 3:59 AM

I went to college with Steve. He was so nice and always there to lend a helping hand.Steve was a great friend. I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy. Ericca and the boys are in our prayers.

Penny Barton-Garrison

-- Posted by death1 on Sun, Sep 21, 2008, at 4:20 PM

I had the great privilege to work with Steve for almost two years now. I remember several talks with him about his family my family, cattle and fishing. My most memorable memory is when I was complete my FTO training and there we were waiting for of all things a funeral to escort it out of town. Steve and I had been talking and then I looked over and there he was head cocked back and a little snore. I just could bother him. It's ironic about the things we remember about our friends. Steve will be truly missed as a Father, Husband, Fellow Officer but most of all a Friend. Steve was honest trust worthy and always had time for a good joke. Steve my Friend you will be truly missed. Your family will be in my families' prayers.

-- Posted by RShottekirk on Sun, Sep 21, 2008, at 10:30 PM

To the family of Sgt Gayman

The management and staff of Tim's Convenience Store express our deepest sympathy to you at this time.

Sgt Gayman was an asset to our community and he will be greatly missed by all of us.

We appreciate all he did to make our community a better and safer place to live.

Tim Gotschall and staff

-- Posted by Tim's Convenience Store on Mon, Sep 22, 2008, at 10:46 AM

I am Heather Gade of the State of Missouri, Board of Probation and Parole and I had the privilege to work with Steve on several different occassions. I have to say every time he would be dispatched to our office or I was present with him in the community Steve was professional, sharp and I felt very safe in his presence. He was always kind and willing to help if I needed him.

I give my greatest sympathies to the family of Steve Gayman and may God be with you in this time of sorrow.

-- Posted by HeatherGade on Mon, Sep 22, 2008, at 4:23 PM