Stephen William Szabo

Captain Szabo, born in Miami, FL. moved to the area in 1974 from Manhattan, New York, where he was raised. As a young man he joined the Port Orange Police Department climbing to the ranks of Detective Sgt. before leaving to pursue other opportunities in law enforcement. In 1981, he became a member of the Daytona Beach Police Department, leaving there five years later to pursue a private business interest as co-owner of Justice Companies, Cleaning and Supplies. He rejoined the Daytona Beach agency in 1994, retiring in 2010. After his retirement he was reinstated as an active reserve Captain until Dec. 30 2022. In that capacity he served as the Emergency Management Coordinator, assisted with Accreditation while conducting staff inspections, and was the coordinator of the department’s internship program. When news of his death was announced on a Facebook page, former co-workers hailed him as a “straight shooter” a “cop’s cop” and the “best mentor I ever had.”

Captain Szabo was an avid amateur HAM radio operator, serving as Daytona Beach Amateur Radio club; past president of the NAQCC (North American low power CW club), past North Florida section manager of the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), life member of the ARRL.

Captain Szabo earned a master of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida in 2000. He served as an UCF instructor and was an UCF football fanatic. He was a season ticket holder for more than a decade and enjoyed spending his Saturdays at home games in Orlando, FL with his family.

Captain Szabo also served as an adjunct instructor with Daytona State College, University of Phoenix, Keiser University, and FEMA.

In his younger days, Captain Szabo, was a Boy Scout merit badge counselor for Troop 441, and treasured boating, bowling, motorcycles and driving his mint green early 30’s classic Cadillac. He enjoyed eating out and doing dedicated Pizza nights on Friday, a tradition started by his father, Albert Szabo, years before his pasting. His favorite time of the year was Halloween where he went above and beyond to decorate the house and yard to make sure every trick or treater that visited their home had the experience that they would remember for a lifetime. Ensuing was Thanksgiving where he adored time in the kitchen cooking and spending the day with family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Martha, and a son that cherished time spent Sunday evenings watching classic movies with his mother, Eleanore. He was a grateful father of his Children, Stephen and Kristina, and would speak proudly about them both whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Martha; one son, Stephen W. Szabo Jr., Port Orange; his daughter, Kristina Louise Szabo, Fort Collins, Colorado; his mother, Eleanore Szabo, Port Orange. He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Michelle Leigh Szabo, and his father, Albert S. Szabo.

Additional survivors are two brothers, John P. Szabo (wife Paula), Ormond Beach; and George A. Szabo (wife Janice), Port Orange, and two grandsons, Austin Shaw, Daytona Beach, and Tyler Shaw, Deltona, along with several cousins.

There will be a celebration of life from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28, at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 4815 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at Epiphany Catholic Church, Port Orange. Arrangements are under the direction of Volusia Memorial Funeral Home.