Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our most sincere sympathy goes out to the Claypool family and the Columbus Police Division. May God bless you in your time of sorrow.

Karen and Howard Tokheim
US Treasury and Ft. Worth Police Department

Prayers are extended to the family of Lieutenant Claypool in their loss and to the entire Columbus Division of Police Services.

God bless all who protect mankind, and may all who protect and serve draw close to Him.

In His Name,

Chaplain Jack H. Lanier, Jr.
Longview Police Department (TX)

May God Bless you all. I am sorry to hear about your loss.

Elise

Explorer Cadet Ostby
CHP

Lt. Claypool was a one of a kind guy. He never thought twice about taking the paper runs. The gold badge meant nothing other than a rank. Ultimately his willingness to take these type of runs cost him his life. He will be sadly missed

Anonymous

Again it has happened. This time a fellow officer in my own city. Lt. Claypool was a "cops" cop. Never failing to let the gold badge make a difference. He died doing what he did best. We now mourn with the Columbus Division of Police and Lt. Claypools family. Lt. Claypool was one of a kind. Never hesitated to take the "paper" runs even though he did not have to. Sadly this took his life. To the hit and run driver please do the right thing and turn yourself in. Let the family begin the mourning period. Of all the ways you think you would lose your life stupidity is not the way i wanna go. Lt. Claypool you are in our hearts and you will be sadly missed. You are an idol and always wil be. Thanks for giving it your all for the whole community

A fellow partner

I am a citizen of a suburb of Columbus where Lt. Claypool served. I have a brother who is a police officer and my heart goes out to this officers family. A little while back I started a Blockwatch in my area and talked to many of the police officers of the same district. Although I am not positive I ever met Lt Claypool, I believe that I did. In any case, I am truly saddened that he lost his life serving the people of Columbus. I pray the person who took his life will come forward and show just a tiny bit of the courage that this man had every day he went to work. Our police officers have to face danger and deal with things most of us couldn't handle just once. From the bottom of my heart I thank those who serve on the police force for trying to keep me safe. And I thank Lt. Claypool for not only doing that, but serving as such a wonderful role models for others. I hold him and his loved ones in my prayers.

Lorrie

May God bless and watch over the family and friends of Lt. Claypool as we say good bye to another brother in blue.

Patrolman Anthony R. Honeycutt
Glasgow Kentucky Police Department

Lt. Claypool,...Chris was my friend. He always had a kind word a smile and a joke to lighten my day. Chris was the Lieutenant everyone wanted to work for and the friend everyone wanted to have. My prayers go out to your wife, son and daughter.

I miss you brother.

Sgt. Jeff Wilson
Columbus Division of Police

Too often I hear the news of a fallen officer who lost his or her life while in the line of duty. The news on the morning of April 29th, 2001 was especially troubling when the local news reported that a fellow Columbus Police Officer had been killed. A short time later I discovered that the officer who was killed was not just a colleague, but a very close and dear friend. This person had been to my home for dinner, served in the same reserve unit, shared thoughts and advice. The death of Chris Claypool has left a hole in my heart and has saddened the very soul of the Columbus Division of Police. His loss must remind us all of the nature of our work and the value of our relationships.

Detective Michael Higgins
Columbus Police

Chris Claypool has been my close personal friend since 1990. He and I worked a cruiser together for 2 years and became fast friends. To say Chris was an extrordinary person falls way short. Quick witted, common sensical, and positive all describe him. Not a single complaint was made against him in 13 years! That is a testiment to his personality and who he was, especially when you considered he worked for the 16th largest department in America. Chris's passing is not only a tremendous loss for his family and our department, but the citizens of Columbus OH have lost one of the THEE Finest of Columbus' Finest!

"When Deeds speak, words mean nothing."

-Author Unknown

Detective Bob Moledor
Columbus Division of Police

29th of April 2001 was a black day and will remain so as long as I live. The saying that the good die young is so true, Christopher you are proof of that and I know we will run into each other one day my dear buddy. All my best to the Claypool family. Remember faith is what keeps us going God bless.

Your Buddy

Anonymous

You were one of the first sergeant's I ever had. No matter what title you had, you always treated me like man. You always supported me while under your rank. If their ever was a man who deserved his rank it was you. You were a man of respect and you'll be deeply missed. God Bless You!!!

Officer Andrew Ward
Columbus Police Dept

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

Lt. Michael Gross
Duncanville, Tx PD

To our fallen brother in blue may you rest in peace. God bless your family and friends.

Officer D. Johns
City of Decatur,GA Police Department

For all of you in Columbus my thoughts and prayers go out to you. We too are also saying goodbye to a fallen brother. It's a tough time and a very sad time. We will be praying for your brother and his family as well as all of you.

Renee Nelson / communications
Harrison County Sheriff's Dept

To the Family and the Columbus PD, My heart goes out to you!!

Police Officer Terry Viel
Hamilton Township Police (Ohio)

My prayers, thoughts and sympathy go out to Officer Claypool's family, friends and co-workers. Having lost a very close friend ILD on the 27th of April, I know the pain you are feeling. Know that many others in law enforcement are with you right now. May God grant you strength and courage in this time of sorrow.

Anonymous

Lt. Claypool,

ST. MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL,HEAVENS PATRON OF POLICEMAN, WHO ONCE CLEARED GOD'S PREMISES OF ALL THE UNFAITHFUL ANGELS; LOOK WITH KINDLY AND PROFESSIONAL EYE UPON YOUR EARTHLY FORCE.

GIVE US COOL HEADS, STOUT HEARTS,AWARENESS OF THE LAW, PRUDENCE IN OUR INVESTIGATIONS AND WISDOM IN OUR JUDGEMENTS.

MAKE US THE TERROR OF CRIMINALS, THE FRIENDS OF CHILDREN AND LAW ABIDING CITIZENS, KIND TO STRANGERS, POLITE TO BORES, STRICT TO LAWBREAKERS, AND OBSTINATE TO TEMPTATIONS.

IN TROUBLES AND RIOTS, GIVE US STRENGHT TO BE EFFICIENT; AT THE POLICE COURT, GIVE US LOVE FOR TRUTH AND EVIDENCE WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT OF SELF.

YOU KNOW, BELOVED ST. MICHAEL, FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEVIL, THAT THE POLICEMAN'S LOT ON EARTH IS NOT ALWAYS A PLEASANT ONE; BUT YOUR SENSE OF DUTY THAT SO PLEASED GOD, YOUR COURAGEOUS STRENGHT THAT SO OVER-WHELMED THE DEVIL, AND YOUR ANGELIC SELF-CONTROL GIVE US INSPIRATION.

MAKE US AS LOYAL TO THE LAWS OF GOD AS WE ARE PARTICULAR ABOUT THE LAWS OF THE LAND.

AND WHEN WE ANSWER OUR FINAL CALL( AS LT.CLAYPOOL HAS), ENROLL US IN YOUR HEAVENLY FORCE, WHERE WE WILL BE AS PROUD TO GUARD THE THRONE OF GOD AS WE HAVE BEEN TO GUARD THE CITY OF MEN. AMEN

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, LT. CLAYPOOL

A FAITHFUL FRIEND

The prayers of my department & officer's, are with the family & officers of the Columbus Police Department during this time of sorrow.

Blessed are the peace keepers for they will be called son's of God.....

Cpl. John MD Shumate, 8V82

Cleves Police Department

Corporal
Cleves Police Department, Ohio

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and coworkers of Lt. Claypool. As we in Northeast Texas are mourning the loss of one of our officers it was difficult to see the addition of another officer so soon to this page. I have realized, going through this ordeal, that there will always be several unanswered questions as to "Why". I know that this is no consilation but always remember Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be known as the children of God"

Anonymous

No matter where you work, Ohio, New York or anywhere else,we're all one family. The loss of any officer is felt by us all. Hopefully feeling that loss will relieve some of the weight from the shoulders of Lt. Claypool's family. Rest in peace my brother.

Det. Dave Capellini
NYPD

"There is no accepted test of civilization. It is not wealth, or the degree of comfort, or the average duration of life,or the increase of knowledge. All such tests would be disputed. In default of any other measure, may it not be suggested that as good a measure as any is the degree to which justice is carried out, the degree to which men are sensitive to wrongdoing and desirous to right it?"

Sir John Macdonnell/Historical Trials/1927

"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

George Orwell

Anonymous

Words cannot describe Chris Claypool. He is what every person should strive to become. It doesn't matter if you are trying to be a better Police officer, parent , friend....whatever. Chris is, was , and always will be the true epitome of what it is to be a GOOD person. I will miss him. His jokes and one liners will make me smile. It is a shame he was not with us longer to influence more people. The world needs more people like Chris Claypool. Rest in peace brother! Start slow....and taper off! and if you see someone without a smile ..Give'em Yours!

Officer Lowell T. Smittle#1776
Columbus Polce

I didn't know Christopher, but I know that all of us feel like a little piece of us died with him.

I can only hope that time and the support of friends and family will ease the grief and emptiness Christopher's family feels right now.

What bothers me personally about this tragedy is the person responsible has no conscience. His fear of being caught and brought to justice, outweighs any remorse or guilt that he might feel.

Go with God Chris.

Patrolman Brett D. Swigert
Dover Police Dept.

I would like to send to Lt. Claypools family my prayers and deepest sorrow for thier loss, may god bless you all

Ofc. Sheeler
Newcomerstown Police Dept.