Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

OFFICER GRAY,

I MOVED TO MERCED IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND UPON GRADUATION FROM COLLEGE I CHOSE TO FIGHT CRIME IN THE BIG CITY BECAUSE I FELT I WANTED TO CATCH REAL CRIMINALS. I NEVER THOUGHT A SMALL CITY LIKE MERCED WOULD EVER HAVE THESE TYPES OF COWARDS. THE NIGHT OF THE INCIDENT I WAS IN MERCED VISITING AND WENT TO THE SCENE. I ENCOUNTERED YOU IN PERSON ONCE, AND YOU LET ME SLIDE ON MY MISTAKE AFTER I ACKNOWLEDGED I WAS WRONG AND PROMISED TO NEVER MESS UP AGAIN. I NEVER GOT ANOTHER CHANCE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TO THANK YOU, SO THANK YOU. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING. GOD BLESS THE GRAY FAMILY.

Federal Agent Black
National Crime Lab

May 1, 2004

I do not know where to begin. I just want again to say I am sorry to Stephan's wife and children and know that I will continue to be by your side as time goes on. My heart feels so heavy since Stephan was so violently taken away and I can only imagine what his wife must be going through. I wanted to believe it wasn't true, I just remember the week before we were all sitting around the table laughing and talking. Stephan will truly be missed by his partners (fellow officers). His memories will live on and we will never forget his ultimate sacrifice to keep his family and everyone else's family in this community safe.

Wife of a Merced Police Officer

May 1, 2004

Stephan
It has been many years since our academy in Fresno but I still remember your drive and excitement for the job. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Chad

Detective Chad Devore
King County Sheriff's Office Washington

May 1, 2004

DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF PO STEPHAN GRAY.

Anonymous

April 29, 2004

YOU WERE A WONDERFUL MAN, AND A TRULY GIFTED OFFICER.MY HUSBAND WORKED WITH YOU FOR 6 YEAR'S AND THOUGHT VERY HIGHLY OF YOU, AS DID I. I CAN REMEMBER SEEING YOU IN THE STORE AND YOU ALWAYS MADE SURE TO STOP AND TALK WITH ME AND MY KIDS. YOU WILL BE MISSED. YOUR FUNERAL WAS SO MOVING. SEEING ALL THOSE OFFICERS BROUGHT TO TEARS IS PROOF POSATIVE THAT YOU WERE AN AWESOME MAN. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

STACIA RICHARDSON
MERCED P.D. OFFICER'S WIFE

April 28, 2004

To Officer Gray's family:


I read what happened to Officer Gray and I was touched.
Even then I never met him, but in this type of profession we are all one family.

I have been working for this department for the last three and a half years.

I pray to God that he may comfort you and the rest of your family.

God bless you !

J. Ortega
Patrol Officer

Patrol Officer / Jose Ortega
Village of Key Biscayne Police Department - Miami, Fl.

April 27, 2004

GRAY WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON WHO WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. GRAY SET THE STANDARD FOR FITNESS AND HELPED THE DRUG TASK FORCE ON MANY ENTRIES IN MERCED. I WILL MISS GRAY AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF ALL LOCAL GANG BANGERS IN MERCED. I HOPE HIS FAMILY CAN FIND PEACE AND CLOSURE AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE MERCED POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OFFICER RAY FRAMSTAD
LIVINGSTON POLICE DEPT

April 26, 2004

I did not know Officer Gray, but I am freinds with some of his co-workers close to the situation. I want to extend my personal sympathy's as well as my teams in the loss of a professional dedicated to protecting others. Please express our feelings to his family at home as well as in the Police Department. GOD BLESS AND TO ALL BE SAFE!!!

Sergeant John Rose
Douglas County Sheriff's Office Castle Rock, CO 80109

April 26, 2004

stephan,we meet several times while i was working mids at the main jail (in merced co.) and i remember telling a co worker what a cool guy you were ( so easy to get along with). every time that you would come in,you would always say hi! and smile. then the small talk would begain and minutes later you were off to catch more bad guy's. when i heard that you where shot,i felt like i had lost a brother. stephan my pain goe's out to the one's you've left behind and so do my prayers. stephan you did alot of good in this world but you were called upon by god all mighty. i will sure miss you,do good in heaven and watch over us. you will always be in my heart and in my thaught's. stephan i like you have three children of my own (one daughter 5 and two boy's 7,12). see you in heaven brother. p.s. put in a good word for me with the big guy up their. jubenal.b

jubenal berber custodial deputy
merced s.o.

April 26, 2004

On behalf of the Pittsfield Police Dept., we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Officer Gray. God Bless.

Officer Rodney Minoty
Pittsfield Police Dept ME

April 26, 2004

Stephan left his fellow officers with a standard of gang enforcement that will be difficult to match. He was relentless in his pursuit of gang members yet showed great compassion to those who were willing to change. He was our partner, our friend and a true hero.

Officer Colin T. Smith
Merced PD

April 26, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE OFFICERS
WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER GRAY, HIS FAMILY
AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

April 25, 2004

I, too, watched America's Most Wanted last night. I saw your story and how tragic and disgusting it is. But I also saw what a wonderful father and husband that you were and those were just little glimpses into your life. I imagine you were 10 times the man that they showed.

It's weird. We are all affected by the loss of an officer, but until you see his face and his story, it doesn't hit you that he actually had a family and was loved so much.

I am so sorry for this officer's loss and each and every loss of LE that this country incurs. I know that his chief is on a mission and I wish him every ounce of support and faith that I have.

April 25, 2004

We also just watched America's Most Wanted and was sickened by the story... To know that this person is still out there and more officers are in danger of him. Our thoughts & Prayers will be of you who are still searching for him. YOU WILL FIND HIM.

It just breaks our hearts to think of Officer Gray's Family, Friends and Department. Their lives will never be the same. It changes the largest and the smallest of things in your everyday life.

We lost Our Dear Morris Taylor (EOW 09-14-2002). And I tell you from our own experiences... things are NEVER the same. Just know as with Morris. We have found comfort in knowing that They are now with Our Loving Father Above.

Our Thoughts & Prayers are with All of Our Law Enforcement Officers and Their Families!

God Bless & Be Safe!

Jack & Tracy Van Dolah
Retired LEO & Wife in Douglas County, Oregon

April 24, 2004

I have been checking ODMP everyday hoping your brothers have brought this maggot to justice. I was watching America's Most Wanted tonight and saw your story. May the Lord be with your family and kids. You are a hero. I pray that your killer is brought to justice. Stand proud on your beat in heaven.

Officer
Oklahoma City Police

April 24, 2004

I am so very saddened to hear of the los of this fine officer. It is my sincere hope that his colleagues, friends and family take comfort in the dedicated service he so heroically provided to his community.

He now patrols the streets of Heaven with St. Michael. God bless and be safe out there.

Chief JA Millan
Avery Co. Dist SP
NC Public Schools

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist LEO

April 23, 2004

I was born in Atwater, my Dad is a retired Merced county Detective. I was in Merced the weekend this happened, and was trully saddened by this tragic incident. You are in my familys prayers. Rest in peace my friend.....

Cpl Brian Bryson
Klamath Co Sheriff's office
Klamath Falls, Oregon

Cpl Brian Bryson
Klamath Co Sheriff

April 23, 2004

Rest in peace brother. You will never be forgotten!

Officer Matthew Goodin
San Francisco PD

April 23, 2004

God Bless you sir
Your loss we all suffer.

Rest My Friend.

Deputy Constable LC Downing
Wharton Co. TX. Pct 2 Constable

April 22, 2004

Officer Gray, I hope that you will rest in peace up above with God and that your family be taken care of. I thank you for your hard work to make my state a better place although it is almost impossible to stop crime in CA.May you rest in peace.

Anonymous

April 22, 2004

My heart breaks for your family. May God bless and keep you. With each day may His comfort be with you. I am truly sorry. ~such a price to pay~ Your children will remain in my thoughts and prayers, as will you.

Sherry Branam
Knoxville Tn

April 22, 2004

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.


There are no explanations for such a senseless death. We can only know that Officer Gray died fufillling his destiny as God gave him the skills to do, and that he went doing something he loved.....and as a Hero. My sincere condolences to his wife and children.

KY Peace Officer
Isaiah 40:31

April 22, 2004

A coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero dies but one.

May God be with Officer Gray and his family in their time of grief.

"I am my brothers keeper"

109th Cadet Class, Austin Police Department

April 22, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 22, 2004

Went to your funeral today. I was very impressed y the amount of people that were lining "G" St. watching the presession as it passed by.

I was deeply touched by the out pour of support from our community.

Good bye Stephan, you were and are still loved, and we miss you dearly.

Anonymous

April 22, 2004