Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Harrison County Sheriff's Department:
Please, accept in the name of my wife Aleidy and myself, our deepest condolences in the death of Lt. Clay Medrano, occurred today. It is always heartbreaking to learn of the death of a brother or sister in blue. May God have mercy upon Lt. Medrano's soul and grant His consolation to his family, friends, and coworkers.

Frank A. Piloto, Jr., Retired Police Off
Miami Dade Police Department

It is very difficult for me to put into words things about Clay Medrano. I first met Clay when I worked for Hallsville City Mashals Office. When I started out in Hallsville I had only been on the streets for about a year as a Reserve Officer. Clay was an investigator for the Sheriff's Office and took me under his wing and showed me the ropes of being a good investigator.

Clay was a wonderful man who believed in putting others before himself. He was active in church and also in the community. Words cannot express how big of a loss this is not only to law enforcement but also to his community. I will always remember Clay for all the help he gave me when I was young in my careeer and all the support he gave me as I moved on to bigger and better things. He will truly be missed!

Sherman D. Klepfer,DSFM

Deputy State Fire Marshal Sherman Klepfe
Texas State Fire Marshal's Office

I came across this site a few days ago and came back today (4-27-01) I was surprised to see how fast this site was updated to include Lieutenant Clay Medrano who lost his life on this same day (4-27-01). I am from Indiana and did not know Mr. Medrano, but my prayers go out to his family and friends. Please thank God everyday for everything you have and dont forget to tell your family everyday how much you love them because at any time any one of us can be gone. May God be with you all...

Gary
NA

To the family of Officer Medrano: I know what you are going through, my husband was killed in line of duty, there are no words that I can say at this moment that is going to sound ok, but I just like to let you know that there are many of us survivors that care and are here for you.

We love you and are praying for you and for Officer Medrano.

God Bless you

Terry Miyares

Officer Emilio Miyares, widow

Hialeah Police Dept. Florida

4/24/59 - 11/6/86

terry miyares
Hialeah Police Dept.

May the good lord be with Lt. Medrano's survivors and co-workers in this terrible time of sorrow. And may he also always be remembered for the good things he did. God rest his soul.

Chief Ronald S. shute
Haddon Heights N.J. Police Dept

To our brother in blue, To your family and friends may God bless. Rest in peace now my brother.

Officer D. Johns
City of Decatur,GA Police Department

For all that you have done, for all that you have given. We thank you and are indebted to you more than we shall ever know. May God bless you and keep you.

My thoughts and prayers go out to your department, friends, and family.

FTO C. Nations
Greenville County Dept. Community Services

Our sincere condolences and prayers go out to the family of Lt. Medrano. He will be missed by many. Our dedication and tribute to him should be one of "keep on keepin' on."

The Lord's blessing and protection go to all of those out there serving and protecting.

Chaplain Jack H. Lanier, Jr.

Longview Police Department

Chaplain
Longview Police Department (TX)

I have a friend who works in the Communications Division at the Harrison County Sheriff's Office,and she always tells me how close all of you are. I pray for Lt. Medrano's family and all of you at Harrison County S.O. God Bless all of you.

C/S E. E. Smith
New York State Police

Clay will be missed by all who knew him. He earned the highest accolade I can give him: he was a good cop and a good person. God bless.

Michael Ferguson, Instructor
East Texas Police Academy

The policeman stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining.

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,

Because those of us who carry badges

can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

and at times my talk was rough,

and sometimes I've been violent,

Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep....

Though I worked a lot of overtime

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around

Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,

Lord, It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne

Where the saints had often trod.

As the policeman waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,

You've borne your burdens well.

Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in hell."

Anonymous

To the family and friends of Lt.Medrano,

Two days after the loss of Lt. Medrano, we here in Columbus, Ohio lost an officer and a friend. On behalf of the Columbus Division of Police, please except our sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one,friend and co-worker. To everyone and the Harrison County Sheriff's our thoughts and prayers will be with you! As you lay to rest Lt. Medrano, we too will be laying to rest Lt. Chris Claypool. No matter what color the uniform or what part of the world we serve, a loss of a police officer effects all of us belonging to, related to, or associated with law enforcement. May god bless each and everone of us and not forget the heros who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Anonymous

I fear a society who honors those who entertain them more than those who die for them. God bless Officer Medrano and his family. God bless all law enforcement for this tragic loss. We will never forget.

Anonymous

Rest in peace with the assurance that officers across the nation will never forget the sacrifice you made.

Lt. Michael Gross
Duncanville, Tx PD

The loss of Lt. Medrano strikes hard with me due to the fact that I spend my time every day serving mental committment warrants. May the Lieutenant rest in peace, and the Lords blessings be with his family, friends, and all the members of the Harrison County Sheriff's Dept.

Deputy Sheriff Dave Ehrhard
St. Louis Sheriff's Dept.

THE STAFF AT THE ETPA WILL TRULY MISS CLAY. HE GRADUATED FROM THIS ACADEMY IN THE MID 70'S AND HAD ATTENDED NUMEROUS IN-SERVICE CLASSES. THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT, HE AND HIS PARTNER BOTH ATTENDED OUR ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION FISH-FRY AT THE ACADEMY. CLAY WAS ALWLAYS HAPPY AND ALWAYS SMILED. OUR LOSS IS HEAVEN'S GAIN. OUR SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE MEMBERS OF CLAY'S FAMILY AND TO OUR FRIENDS AT THE HARRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

DIRECTOR DAVID APPLEWHITE
EAST TEXAS REGIONAL POLICE ACADEMY

TWO YEARS AGO CLAY MADE HIS LAST CALL AND WE STILL MISS HIM. IT WAS AN HONER TO KNOW AND WORK WITH CLAY,A GREAT OFFICER AND A BETTER MAN.

M. COUCH
HARRISON COUNTY S.O.

I first met Lt. Medrano when I was seven years old. I can remember "tagging along" behind him when he worked the local football games. Lt. Medrano was the reason I decided to become a police officer. I attended the service in his memory and shorty thereafter attended the police academy. I just want to thank him for being my inspiration and let him and his family know that he remembered and dearly missed.

Patrol Officer Hyde
MPD

We all miss you and enjoy being around you. You gave alot to your fellow friends and coworkers from your department as well as ours. I know you are smiling down on us now.

FTO Clayton Taylor
Longview Police Department

I just wanted to say God Bless you, everything you stood for and all that you are. You will always be in all of our hearts and so will your family.

Valen Midkiff
daughter of fallen officer Candace Ripp 2001

Lt. Medrano, your watch is over and our department salutes you and your tour. May you watch over the gates of heaven, as you watched over the citizens of Harrison County, Texas.

Deputy J. Allen
Hidalgo County Sheriff's Department, Texas