Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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."

PO Andrew
Chicago PD

April 22, 2004

Heaven is a better place today with Officer Gray amongst the angels. He was a true hero keeping the citizens of Merced safe while always keeping a smile on everyone's face while doing it.
He would have been so very proud to see all of us that turned out to honor his memory as it was a true testament to the cop he was.
You are not forgotten Officer Gray, your memory will last with us forever. Thankyou for leaving the world a better place than you found it.

Deputy Sheriff
Northern California

April 21, 2004

God speed brother. We will continue your fight

Inv Jeff Gregor Street Gang Unit
Collier County Sheriffs Office

April 21, 2004

When ever I look on here and see another brother has left us, it makes my heart feel very heavy. I will pray for your family and know that this "thing" who commited this crime, will be haunted by your spirit and hunted by we your brothers. I hope the world knows the sacrifice you have made and rest in peace, while you watch over the rest of us.

God must have needed you more than we did.........

Officer Todd Smith
Sandusky Police Department OHio

April 21, 2004

Rest in peace Officer Gray. God bless your family.

Sr.Cpl Hunt
Dallas PD

April 21, 2004

I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME,
MY NAME FOR ALL ETERNITY.
RECORDED HERE AT THIS HALLOWED PLACE,
ALAS, MY NAME, NO MORE MY FACE.
"IN THE LINE OF DUTY" I HEAR THEM SAY.
MY FAMILY NOW THE PRICE TO PAY.
MY FOLDED FLAG STAINED WITH THEIR TEARS,
WE ONLY HAD THOSE FEW SHORT YEARS.
THE BADGE NO LONGER ON MY CHEST,
I SLEEP NOW IN ETERNAL REST.
MY SWORD I PASS TO THOSE BEHIND,
AND PRAY THEY KEEP THIS THOUGHT IN MIND.
I NEVER DREAMED IT WOULD BE ME,
AND WITH A HEAVY HEART AND BENDED KNEE,
I ASK FOR ALL HERE FROM THE PAST...

DEAR GOD LET MY NAME BE THE LAST.

LT. JAMES A. WILLIAMS
N.Y.P.D.

April 21, 2004

Rest in peace, brother. We have the watch now.

We will hunt to the ends of the earth to bring justice to you, your family and loved ones, and all of us with a badge. You keep an eye on us from above, and we'll take care of things down here...

Detective NDW
Mountain View Police Department

April 21, 2004

Having grown up in Merced, I was shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Stephan's death, and my thoughts and prayers are with Stephan's family, the Merced Police Dept., and the citizens of Merced. This senseless act of street terrorism that took Stephan's life shall never be forgotten and he will always be considered a hero by his family, brothers, and the Merced community for giving the ultimate sacrifice.
Rest in peace, Brother.

Deputy Stephan Schneider
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.
Transit Services Bureau-Special Problems Unit

Deputy Stephan Schneider
LASD/Transit Special Problems Unit

April 21, 2004

The family of Officer Gray can take pride in knowing that he laid down his life in trying to make the world a better, safer, place. I'm sure he received a hero's welcome in Heaven.

Mark Hunt
Watsonville, California

April 21, 2004

It sounds to me like the Merced Police Department has lost a hard working street cop and a true hero. Such a shame. My thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and co-workers.

Detroit Police Department

April 20, 2004

Another brother Officer has been called to the Lord to assist St. Michael in guarding the heavens.

Rest in peace brother and enjoy your new assignment.

We will pray for your wife, children, and department.

Deputy
Ingham County Sheriff's Office

April 20, 2004

What terrible news for Officer Gray's family and his co-workers! Another sad day for Law Enforcement! I hope your family feels the healing prayers being said for them. May God bless your family!

Kris Rao Haimbach
Sister of SCHP Sr. Trooper Michael J. Rao EOW 6/12/02

April 20, 2004

My deepest condolonces go out to your entire family. As our family knows all to well, there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. My prayers are with you all. The pain is still so fresh for me that I shutter knowing what you're going through right now. Keep strong and know that he is in a better place.

Jason Bowens
brother of fallen Detroit Police Officer Matthew Bowens
E.O.W. 2/16/04

Jason Bowens

April 20, 2004

The California Association of Police Training Officers joins in mourning the loss of another of Californias finest. To the family, please accept our condolonces, and rememeber Officer Gray as a fallen warrior, trying to make this a safer world. A hero.

Lt. Darrell Stump
Sacramento Welfare Fraud

April 20, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gray family. We are sorry for the loss of a husband and father and to the Merced Police Dept. for the loss of a brother in blue.
God Bless you.

Officer Frank Lehr & Family
Newark CA

April 20, 2004

To the family of Ofc. Gray:
I am sorry that you are having to walk down this awful path. I unfortunately had to walk the same path almost six years ago when my husband was taken from me. I can tell you that the pain gets easier, but it never goes away. There will always be an empty spot in your heart. Just know that you have a lot of support out here that you don't even know yet. We are praying for God's comfort to help you through this. I am sorry, I truly am.
Laura Gibson-Szerokman surviving spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW 04/25/98

Ofc. Laura Gibson-Szerokman
Radford University Police Department

April 20, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Gray for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

April 20, 2004

To Police Officer Stephan Gray family,freinds and Mercer Police Department you are in our prays.
God bless you brother, rest at ease.

Lt. Chuck Jackson
Mullins Police Department (S.C)

April 19, 2004

May God be with all of you during this very difficult time.My prayers are with Officers Grays family , friends and dept. He will NEVER BE FORGOTTON!!!!!!!!!!!

In Memory Of Brian Litz
FF/PM Florida

April 19, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Police Officer Stephan Gray… and the Merced Police Department… our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Stephan ... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vin and Pook- Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

April 19, 2004

GOD BLESS OFFICER GRAY AND HIS FAMILY. MY DEEPEST
SYMPATHY TO YOU. OFFICER GRAY DIED A HERO FIGHTING THE BATTLE HERE AT HOME. OFFICER GRAY DIED DOING A THANKLESS JOB, HOWEVER HIS REWARD WILL BE GREAT IN HEAVEN.


REST IN PEACE
PTLM. MARTINO #145

PTLM. MARTINO
ALTOONA POLICE DEPT.

April 19, 2004

Rest in peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonya Stephenson
Delaware County Private Citizen, PA

April 19, 2004

I check this site daily and print out any new notices of
officers having been killed in the line of duty for my troops.
By reading the printouts I hope it causes them to think and
reflect on the incident.
I am so sorry to hear that Merced recently lost Officer Stephan Gray. I know Merced and spent a lot of time there
as a kid. I still have relatives there. My dad graduated from
Merced High.

My thoughts and prayers have been devoted to Stephan Gray
over this past week.

Everyday I go to work and deal with the bottom feeding
drug dealers in my community. It sounds like Stephan did also. He is a hero in my book. He saw something that needed
his attention and he took the action he deemed necessary. Its
too bad that in this situation the bad guy got lucky. But time
is on our side and we will prevail and the bad guy will get
what he deserves.

You are in my thoughts and the thoughts of my team members.

Sgt Dan Hoy
Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team
Roseburg,Oregon.

Sgt Dan Hoy
Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team

April 19, 2004

What words are adequate Brother...Thank you for your dedication & faithfulness to duty above and beyond the call..you have earned your right to stand in the presence of so many others who gave their all..Rest assured your loved ones will never be alone...we of the Blue Knights are but a phone call away...Rest in Peace

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S.Marshal's (Rt'd)
Blue Knights International Police

April 19, 2004

This is to Officer Stephan Gray's family. I worked with Stephan during his career at Merced Police Department. He was a good police officer and always fair. We joked and laughed and became friends. He was true to his mission to help families and children. He will be missed dearly by me and all the social workers that crossed his path. I say to the family. Stephan was a good person and he helped many in this community. He has touched so many people and hearts. My prayers are with his family but just remember we will never forget Stephan our friend. God Bless you all. God blessed us with Stephan. Peace

Cheweeta Richardson
Merced County CPS

April 19, 2004