Fallen Wilmington police captain was 'living proof of how fine a person can be'

In a strong but quavering voice, Stephanie Misetic spoke to her father.

"Dad, I'm going to miss you so much," she said. "We were walking buddies. We were the slow ones, and you always picked me up when I fell. Now I don't have my buddy, partner or dad, but I have my name: Stephanie Rose Misetic. That was named after you, Stephen Robert Misetic, and I am so proud to be named after my dad."

The room fell silent for Misetic's twin 14-year-old daughters, as both grappled with the loss of their 45-year-old father, who died at home last weekend after a sudden heart attack.

The 21-year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department was honored Friday at a memorial service at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, where hundreds of local law enforcement gathered to honor their fallen friend.

Over and over again, Misetic was described as a man many aspired to be – a selfless friend, a dedicated father, and a respected and compassionate leader of the Wilmington Police Department.

Chief Robert Tracy described him as "living proof of how fine a person can be."

But if Misetic were alive Friday, his childhood friend Dr. Lance Panarello said he wouldn't have wanted those gathered to be sad – though he would have been "humbled, honored and proud" at all those who loved him.

"Somehow, he wouldn't want this day to be about him," Panarello said.

Yet those who loved him ensured that Friday's service focused solely on the man taken far too soon and the family he left behind. In addition to his twin daughters, Stephanie and Cassie, Misetic is survived by his wife, Colleen, as well as many extended family and friends.

Misetic, according to Panarello, was the type of man who would drive to Pennsylvania just to pick up a local newspaper and keep up with the Garnet Valley High School football team – where Panarello and Misetic attended school, and Panarello now coaches.

"I hope on some Friday nights, he stops out and watches a game with us," Panarello said. "Another lesson from Misetic: Be a better friend."

Inside the Center's Wilmington Hall, mourners paid their respects to Misetic, who lay underneath a huge American flag hanging above an open casket. Two screens flashed pictures of Misetic and his family, rotating through the phases of his life. Smiling moments with his daughters and memories of beach days with friends dotted the montage.

For those who could not make the service, Doherty Funeral Homes posted the memorial video with Misetic's obituary.

So did images of Misetic as a Wilmington police officer – a job that Mayor Mike Purzycki said Misetic made better just by being a part of the force.

"He built community trust because it came to him naturally, not because it was part of a strategy," he said.

Misetic also finished first academically in the 84th Police Academy class in 1996. 

He was “pretty much the perfect recruit," said classmate and Delaware State Police Cpl. Robert Cassidy. 

Colleagues said his work ethic allowed Misetic to move quickly up the ranks, serving as a patrol officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant, as well as an ambassador to the community he served.

All the retired Wilmington police officers who stopped at the Chase Center to pay their respects emphasized they had nothing but kind words to say about Misetic. 

“He epitomized what you wanted in a police officer,” said Samuel Pratcher Jr., former Wilmington Police Chief and current New Castle County Sheriff. “He was a dedicated guy, very fair, always energetic.

“He was community-minded as well.”

Nearly everyone who spoke about Misetic described a man who never said a bad word about anyone. Similarly, no one could recall something negative about him. That made his loss all the worse, friends and colleagues said. Misetic was at work the day before his death, laughing and joking with his co-workers.

Former Wilmington Councilwoman Maria Cabrera said Misetic had a way of speaking to people that made it easy to like him. 

“He is someone who would look you in the eye, listen to your concerns and do something about it,” Cabrera said. “He’s that kind of person who took the extra step.”

Cabrera recalled an instance when she and Misetic were walking through a neighborhood and came across a woman drinking alcohol in the open. 

“Ma’am you’re not allowed to drink that in public. I need you to empty that out,” Cabrera remembered Misetic saying. 

The woman, not wanting to give up her drink, tried to convince Misetic to allow her to finish it, even telling the officer that she needed help. Instead of arguing, Misetic calmly talked to the woman, even telling her he could get her help if she wanted it. 

When it was over, the woman emptied out her drink and thanked him, Cabrera said. 

“He genuinely cared about the city, he genuinely cared about people,” she said. 

And in return, the Wilmington community cared about him, said Chaplain Sheryl Allston, who officiated the service.

Turning to Misetic's family seated in the front row of the service, she spoke slowly but clearly.

"You'll always have a home and a hug at the Wilmington Police Department."

Those looking to support Misetic's family can donate to the Stephen R. Misetic Memorial Fund, c/o WSFS Bank, 9A Trolley Square, Wilmington, DE 19806. Checks can also be made out to the Stephen R. Misetic Memorial Fund and mailed to: FOP - Lodge 1, 324 Fifth Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn. Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.

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