A tribute to Dennis Stephenson
Editor’s Note: In 2007, ECHO News Editor Karen (Cox) Bliss interviewed RPS bus driver Dennis Stephenson. He was incredibly proud of the article. In his honor and memory, please enjoy this glimpse into the life of an incredible member of our school community. RIP, Dennis.
By Karen (Cox) Bliss
Rolla High School class of 2007 ECHO News Editor
On June 17th 1972, Dennis P. Stephenson, currently a bus driver for the Rolla Public Schools system, was a cop on the scene at the Watergate Hotel Complex during what would become an important night in history.
When the Watergate building guard, Frank Willis, found tape being used to hold a door open, he removed it and went on his way. Then in about an hour, around 2 in the morning, when he came back the tape had been replaced which caused him to call a supervisor. The supervisor then called the Washington D.C Police Department.
“The dispatcher came out and said, ‘Scout 83 investigate the trouble at 2600 Virginia Avenue.’ That was the Watergate Hotel,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson was not alone when he was on duty that night. He and Scout 84, Blayne Romsburg, were taking a break in an alley, drinking coffee and eating a pizza. However, when they got the call they responded.
“We threw our coffees out the window, folded the pizza up, and he got into his patrol car and we started up. There was a tactical squad that had a sergeant and two patrol officers. They had a beat up car, and they looked like hippies. They weren’t dressed in uniform. They came on and said, ‘We’ll take the call, 83 and 84 standby.’ That meant for us to cover the rear,” Stephenson said.
Across the street from the Watergate in the Howard Johnson hotel was Alfred Baldwin. He was a lookout for the burglars in the Hotel.
“Had our marked cruiser driven up to the front, the lookout would have told the others, ‘Scram, The cops are here,” Stephenson said.
The police moved in to find the intruders and Stephenson was sent in through the parking garage.
“In the back, [Romsburg] took one parking level and I took the other. Immediately the guard took the tactical squad up to the sixth floor because that’s where the door was taped. There was the democratic committee to re-elect [room]. They tried the doorknob on that, and it was unlocked, so they went in. They found five guys in there scurrying over the desks and everywhere, trying to hide. Then a few minutes later, the sergeant came on and said ‘We have five in custody. 83 and 84, scan the perimeter and assist in transportation. The guard came and led us up to the sixth floor. Romsburg and I each handcuffed a guy and did our preliminary searches. Well they had three bags with camera equipment, bugging devices, and they’d already bugged the phones,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson, now 67, is no longer in the police service. After several years of working many different jobs, including many years of military service, Stephenson is a sports bus driver for Rolla Public Schools.
“I like going to sporting events. Plus I’m a late sleeper. I don’t usually take calls before noon,” Stephenson said.
His different adventures and jobs in life led him to Rolla.
“I was getting beat up and scarred with my job, but the main thing was when my two young daughters brought home drugs from school. I wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. When I was visiting a friend in Colorado I was talking to a realtor and she suggested Missouri if I wanted good land,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson has had a full and exciting life. He’s been in the military and the navy which has led him to Guantanamo Bay, Korea and the Philippines. It just goes to show that life can lead people in all sorts of directions, maybe even to become a part of history.
The Life and Adventures of Dennis Stephenson
-Worked in construction in Massachusetts
-Worked as a carpenter in Massachusetts
-Policeman in D.C for seven years
-Worked in Fort Leonard Wood as a carpenter
-Worked in Orlando with the Navy
-Went to Okinawa with the Marines
-Took vacations to Korea and Hong Kong while working in the Marines
-Went to the Philippines with the Navy
-Went to Guantanamo Bay for seven and a half years with the Marines
-Moved to Rolla to be close to his daughters who lived in St. Louis
-Works as a sports bus driver for Rolla Public Schools
-“I’ve been all over the world. I’ve walked on the Great Wall of China. I’ve been to every state except for Washington and Oregon.”- Dennis P. Stephenson
