Steve Dean Tosh

Steve Dean Tosh, 69, of Rogers, Ark., went to his Heavenly home on September 6, 2021. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at First Baptist Church Pleasant Grove campus in Rogers, Ark. with Dr. Todd Kitchen officiating. Interment will be held at 3 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kan. Face masks are requested. Steve was born on May 9, 1952, in Coffeyville, Kansas to John L. and Ida Louise (Sprague) Tosh. Steve and Nisha (Johnson) were united in marriage on December 11, 1970, in Coffeyville, Kan. Steve served in the Kansas National Guard from 1970 to 1976 in the 174th Service and Supply Battalion and ended his tour as a Sergeant. In 1970, at the age of 18, he began his career in law enforcement as a 911 operator for the Coffeyville, Kan., Police Department. At the age of 19, he became a certified police officer, and for the next five years served the city as a patrolman. From 1976 to 2002, Steve was employed through the State of Kansas as a highway patrolman, retiring as a sergeant. After his retirement, he continued his public service career by becoming a city commissioner, for the City of Coffeyville, and in 2007, he moved to Arkansas and began his career at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) as a patrolman. In 2013, he was promoted to sergeant and then to police chief in 2015. Steve retired from NWACC shortly before his death. For nearly 51 years Steve dedicated his life to public service and loved the profession. During his time in Kansas, he made lifelong friendships that he valued greatly. While serving at NWACC he often shared how much he loved his job and being able to make daily connections with students, staff, and faculty. Over his career he received many accomplishments including the Jaycee's Outstanding Young Police Officer Award and being recognized by the City of Coffeyville for assisting in saving small children from a burning house in 1972, as well as receiving Outstanding Staff Member by Arkansas Two Year Colleges in 2008. He was also an active member of Arkansas Association of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies and the Arkansas Chiefs Association. Steve was a loving husband and dedicated father and grandfather. In his spare time, he loved to watch baseball and rooted for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals. He also enjoyed taking road trips with his wife and especially loved traveling throughout South Dakota and Wyoming. Steve was a member of the First Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark. He openly shared his strong love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and found peace knowing that upon his death he would be welcomed into his forever home. He is survived by his wife, Nisha, of the home; daughters: Heather (Danny) Dawson of Dewey, Okla.; Kristi Tosh (Jay Hein) of Meridian, Idaho; granddaughter, Hannah (Kody) Hough of Dewey, Okla.; brothers: Kenneth Tosh of Coffeyville, Kan.; Clarence (Judy) Tosh of Coffeyville, Kan.; sisters: Martha (David) McCurley of South Coffeyville, Okla., Sharon (Tim) Felton of South Coffeyville, Okla.; sisters-in-law, Lynn Tosh of Coffeyville, Kan., Julie Tosh of Ponca City, Okla., and Sue Tosh of Pittsburg, Kan. Preceded in death by his father, John, his mother, Louise, and brothers, Charles, John, Joe, and Jimmie. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to MissionDignity.org or to the NWACC Foundation in his honor.