Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Clay was in many ways larger than life to many of us who knew him well. He was a dedicated detective who first wanted to prevent crime if at all possible by helping many folks especially young people make better decisions than live a life of crime. He loved his wife, Jerri, his community, and most of all his Heavenly Father. I treasured him as a friend.

Sally Gossett Barron, LPC-S
Close family frienf

January 16, 2023

Rest in peace Lt. Medrano.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 29, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

April 27, 2020

Rest in Peace Lt. Medrano. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifice protecting the citizens of Harrison County, Texas.

I Pray for Peace for your Family, Friends and Co-Workers.

Amen

Senior Special Agent B.L. Sherwood (Ret)
Port Terminal Railroad Police Houston, Texas

April 27, 2016

Clay meant so much to so many people. He was law enforcement, teacher, counselor, friend, mentor, fix it guy-- you name it, and of course one of the best pranksters around. Was thinking of Clay last week and how much he helped me and what he meant to Lisa and our daughters.

Scott Moss
Friend

April 27, 2015

Indian Country, bow ties, slingshots in Sunday School, and letting Mama put my picture on the most wanted board at the SO. Too many things to list. Rest with Angels Mr Cway.

John Compton
Texas Game Warden

April 26, 2015

Clay was my Dad's best friend. They worked together for many years, sharing office space at the City of Hallsville, and spent a lot of good times together off-duty as well. He was a good, honest and honorable man, who lived life fully. I still miss him and think of him often.

Laura Bridges
Family Friend

April 26, 2015

I remember Clay from his days at the Hallsville Marshal’s office and then later HCSO. It is hard to believe he is gone.


Lieutenant Earnest Oldham
Plano Police Dept.

son of former HCSO Sheriff Bill Oldham

August 26, 2012

You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 27, 2010

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this day. Thankyou for such a long and dedicated career to law enforcement. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

April 27, 2009

I only met you a couple of times when I was younger but my father has mentioned many times how much he looked up to you and you helped to inspire him to be in law enforcement. My grandfather has said many times how good of a man you were and how much you helped him. Now i am enterin this profession and some day hope to be as good of an officer as you were. I was in the law enforcement exploreres in hallsville in 2001 and remember how sadend we all were when we heard the news of what happened. You will never be forgotten.

Ryan Freeman/ Jailer
Upshur County Sheriffs Office

May 2, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 1, 2008

7 yrs have come and gone. You Live in our hearts and Memories. You will never be forgotten.

Melissa
Wife Of LEO

April 27, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 13, 2008

We had a memorial at the Police Academy range today. When I go to the range, I think about the Thursday night that I last saw you at the Academy fish fry. You were doing something silly making everyone laugh and smile. You were a great officer and friend to everyone. You are missed by all. Matthew 5:9

Lieutenant Tim Bryan
Gregg County SO

May 14, 2007

Clay was an extradionary man and friend before even considering that he was a wonderful cop. My father and him were good friends and had known each other for several years. I am really glad that there is a web site to honor all of the fallen officers. Clay went beyond the call of duty and will never be forgotten for it. I am really proud to say that i knew such a wonderful man and know that he is up there in heaven helping to protect all of us crazy ones here on earth.

Victoria Mcgill
Friend

August 11, 2006

To Lt. Claton Morris Medrano, his loved ones and his fellow officers:

On this the fifth anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is revered and honored today.

May your family continue be to comforted by the warm embrace of their law enforcement family, and other police survivors who share this painful journey with them. My heart is with your family.

Reading all the loving reflections left by those who cared for you gives us an understanding of what a good and honorable man you were and of the high esteem with which you are held.

Clay, for many years you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Lt. Medrano. I am so humbled by your valor and courage.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Lt. Medrano gave to his community and the people of Texas, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 27, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 27, 2006

You will always be missed

April 12, 2006

God rest your soul, Brave Warrior.

Deputy B. P. Styles
Buncombe Co. Sheriff's Dept., NC

January 16, 2005

i knew lieutenant medrano.clay was always a happy man full of jokes,and always helpful to fellow officers.clay will be missed by everyone including myself.hopefully i will see you again brother.

deputy jerry stone
nacogdoches county sheriff office

January 15, 2005

MY THOUGHTS ANDRAYERS TO HIS AND HIS FAMILY ALWAYS IS FRIENDS OF HIS PARTNERS AND IT JUST HURTS MY HEART ANYTIME AN OFFICER ID DOWNED IN AMYWAY PLEASE REMEMBER ALL HIS EFFORTS ARE APPRECIATED AND LOVED

Anonymous

I knew Clay many years ago. When Ken West (my deceased husband) was still alive, we had a garage and wrecker service. We were often called to go to the Hallsville area to pick up vehicles. Clay was always around when we were out late at night and it was always nice to know he was there. After Ken was killed in a wreck, Clay came by to say how much he thought of Ken and how much he would be missed. He also went out of his way to tell me funny stories about Ken to make me laugh. This was Clay, always thinking of the other person. He was a good friend and he will be missed.

Suzanne West

I am an East Texas Police Academy student in the Texarkana Basic Academy. Through several of my instructors, Lieutenant Medrano was a superb officer and friend that will be forever missed. My love and prayers go out to his family, friends and co-workers.

Kim Bateman
ETPA student

Clay was not just a fellow Officer,he was a friend.His encouragement to succeed and to do the best you could at what ever you was doing will never leave me. I was looking forward to working with him more closely after completion of the academy. I will always remember Clay for what he stood for as a Christian first then as an individual. I never met anybody who loved his job as much as Clay did. May God bless his wife and family as we remember him.(Matt. 5:9)

Robert E. Hagan II
Constable Pct.3 Harrison County

Clay was one of the most amazing men I had ever met. He took my husband, who was a rookie officer for another dept. under his wing and taught him a lot. He was more than just a friend, he was a mentor, a loved one and an outstanding human being. His life was spent serving, protecting and helping those around him. This is such a huge loss to me and my husband and to the citizens of Harrison County, Hallsville and Marshall, Texas. He will never be forgotten.

Anonymous