A dock leveler with a pivotal deck includes a stop mechanism that provides the deck with a positive stop at the deck's vertically stored position without the deck's actuator having to be fully extended. With the actuator being less than fully extended, the stop mechanism and actuator can exert opposing forces that help prevent the deck from rocking back and forth as the deck settles to its stationary, upright position. In some cases, the stop mechanism is part of a combination stop-and-lock mechanism that includes a locking device for temporary providing a redundant or alternate lock that prevents the deck from descending unexpectedly while the dock leveler is being serviced or repaired.