Steve McLaughlin was born May 1, 1952 in Shawnee, OK to Chester and Edith McLaughlin. He passed away on July 26, 2024. Steve graduated from Bethel High School, and attended Seminole State College. He started his law enforcement career for the City of Shawnee in January 1972 in Records and Dispatch. He served as a Patrolman, Sergeant, Detective, and Lieutenant and retired as Deputy Police Chief, after 24 years of service in1996. After retiring from the Shawnee Police Department, he was the Owner/Operator of Mac’s Transportation. He later drove a mobile MRI unit that serviced Oklahoma hospitals, but retired completely to take care of his newborn grandsons. Steve married the love of his life, Melanie Taylor, on June 14, 1975.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, David McLaughlin. Steve is survived by his wife; daughter, Brandi Nowakowski, grandsons, Ethan James and Zachary Andrew Nowakowski, and nephew, Scott McLaughlin, all of Shawnee.
Visitation will be from 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024 at Walker Funeral Service. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the Walker Funeral Chapel with Chaplain Larry Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Tecumseh.
