Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

MY SWEET HUSBAND IT IS NIGHTLY WITH A HEAVY HEART I GRIEVE THE LOSS OF THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, IT HAS BEEN ALMOST SIX MONTHS SINCE YOU WERE STOLEN FROM US AND YET IT HURTS LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. I WAIT TO HERE YOUR KEYS HIT THE DOOR AND TO FEEL THE OVERWHELMING RELEIF I ALWAYS FELT WHEN I KNEW YOU WERE HOME SAFE..I PICK UP THE PHONE TO CALL YOU BECAUSE IT SEEMS IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG SINCE I'VE HEARD THAT BEAUTIFUL VOICE YET TO NO AVAIL CAN I FIND YOU...PLEASE KNOW WE ARE TRYING TO BE STRONG FOR YOU..YOUR CHILDREN MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH, YOUR WIFE IS HEARTBROKEN, YOUR FAMILY IS DEVASTED, YOUR BROTHER OFFICERS MOURN YOU STILL, WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR NAME AS YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE HERE ON EARTH, TO ALL THE WIFE'S WHO SHARE THIS UNBEARABLE EXPERIENCE MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU, TO MY ANGEL IN HEAVEN I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOVE YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, WHEN IT IS MY TURN TO MEET OUR HEAVENLY FATHER I WILL COME IN PEACE KNOWING MY BOO WILL BE WAITING..I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU...MICHELLE

October 7, 2004

We all come to this page because we are part of one big family - a family that loves together, prays together and grieves together.

Our son recently lost his partner, and until that fateful day, we were not aware of this site. Now we check it daily. We want you to know that our prayers and thoughts are for you and your loved ones. We grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

God bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great nation.

Here is a special prayer for you:

Give eternal rest to them, O Lord,
Whose souls have taken flight.
And lead them to a better world
Where there is peace and light.
Grant them eternal freedom
From conflict, war, and care,
And fulfill for them Thy prophecy,
There shall be no night there.

Pray for us from above. We love you son.

Grandma & Grandpa Hinkle
Parents of a Deputy Sheriff

October 5, 2004

You are missed so much.

September 24, 2004

Rest in Peace Hero!

Police Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Dept.

September 14, 2004

Time has not helped to reduce the sadness I feel with the loss of our brother. I hope at some point I will be able to rest without being overcome with the pain of losing you.I miss you Stephan.

R.Morgan #105
Merced Police

July 24, 2004

I miss my cousin so much, that I could only imagine what your wife and children are going through. I will say a prayer tonight asking God to bless your family and give them the strength to get them through this terrible time. Thank you for being are Hero!

Officer Isaac Espinoza's Cousin

July 23, 2004

I am deeply saddened by Stephan's death, I want to belive it is not true... I know he is now watching over us, and he is now he's children "guardian angel".
May God bless his family and to his brother Tony.. stay strong, I know how much you'll miss him.
STEPHAN YOU'LL ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS.

M.P

July 14, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this terrible tragedy. Know that others have shared your pain, and you are not alone. One day, you shall all be reunited one fine day. Know that he is in a place surrounded by the finest law enforcement has to offer ... all of our beloved fallen heroes. May God bring peace to you and help you see this through.
Buncombe County S.O.
Sgt. Jeffrey T. Hewitt
E.O.W. April 4,2004

Jennifer Mackey
Buncombe County SO NC

July 4, 2004

GOD BLISS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY... REST IN PEACE

DEBBIE THAO

June 27, 2004

Michelle and children, I think about you all so often. I pray that God is helping you through this very hard and saddened time. I didn't know your husband/father, but i know by hearing everybody's comments he was a caring and loving man. My neighbor once shared with me that Stephan approaced her teenage children in the park and took the time to ask what thier plans in life were. He told them to go to college stay away from drugs and not to get involved in gangs. After Stephan's death the children thought how blessed they were to have met such a caring person and that he took time to talk with them. Michelle I can't even start to imagine what you are going through, but I want you to know that we are thinking of you all and will be in our prayers.

Wife of Merced Co. Sheriff

June 27, 2004

You will be sorely missed Stephan and I only hope you will bring as much joy singing through the halls of heaven as did to Merced PD. God Bless and we will all watch over your family..

Deputy Rich Howard
Merced County Sheriff's Department

June 21, 2004

Stephan, we will never forget you, our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace brother.

Detective Michael Melton
Los Banos Police Department

June 18, 2004

We are truly saddened at Stephan's loss.
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We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
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Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

June 11, 2004

I will always remember you because you were one of the three who gave their life at the same time my nephew gave his life. You were a hero. My thoughts are with the family and when I say my prayer for Isaac and our family, I always remember Officer Gray and his family. God Bless you.

Officer Isaac Espinoza's Auntie

June 11, 2004

To a great Hero, you will never be forgotten. God bless You Stephan and your beautiful family.

Ofc Perez
Merced PD

June 4, 2004

Sir, you make the younger generation of us police officers proud. You seemed to be a true cop and hard working. I respect you and what you did. We will continue to fight the bad and make the difference. God bless you brother. May you rest in peace.

Officer
Burbank PD

May 13, 2004

This is a cops-wifes worst fear. I cant even imagine what Michelle Gray is going through right now. All i can do is pray for her and her children. My husband too is a cop. Its difficult to say goodbye when he is leaving for his shift to work. All i can do is pray too that he is safe and comes home. I truely believe things happen for a reason and what exactly this reason is i dont think anyone knows yet, but in do time we will. God bless Michelle and her children. Heal in time... dont let anyone tell you that you are alone. Stephan is your gardian angel now. He is with you always. All our thoughts and prayers are with you....GOD BLESS YOU

Wife of a Merced Co. Sheriff

May 13, 2004

My heart goes out to the Gray family; Stephan was a truly exceptional man. He will ge greatly missed.

Officer David Waite
Tracy Police Department

May 11, 2004

My 8 year old son said to me "why did this happen", I had no answers for him, but my thoughts are with Stephen's family and his collegaues.

PS Phill Davies
Metropolitan Police, England

May 10, 2004

Stephan I miss you.My attempts at sleep are overcome with thoughts of you,your smile, your family and all of our loss with your passing.You are my friend and I am greatful to you for more than you could ever know. God bless

R.Morgan #105
Merced Police

May 8, 2004

Officer Gray was always the officer who reached out to not only us in the black community, but to all those who needed help. He was one of the few minority leaders to look up to. I never wanted to become a police officer because of the negative feelings people have towards them. But to see how you are honored and hailed as a hero once you are gone makes me want to reconsider.

D. Black

May 6, 2004

To Officer Stephen Gray Family, Friends and Merced Police Department you are in our thoughts and prayers of myself and the Mullins Police Department. Officer Gray you have laid down your life in the line of duty, now rest my brother. Fore the thin blue line will carry on in your name.

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

May 6, 2004

Condolences to the family of Officer Stephan Gray and all the members of the Merced Police Department. Stay strong, justice will prevail.

Segeant C.J. Castro
Modesto P.D.

May 5, 2004

I went to High School with Stephan, and have many fond memories of him, his brother Tony, and several other of our friends. I will always remember Stephan's love of life, his beautiful smile, and his charming and loving spirit! When I knew Stephan in Hanford, his positive attitude and big smile was always contagious!
I have been so saddened by the tragic loss of Stephan, and I do consider him a hero! Thank you, all police officers, and your wives and families for all that you do to protect us!

Michelle and family, I am so sorry for your loss! Stephan was a great man, and I know will be greatly missed!

Lori Kelley Scott

May 5, 2004

I met Stephan years ago while in Fresno from family. He worked at Save Mart then and wanted to get into law enforcement work. He worked hard to meet that goal and was a wonderful officer. I saw him a few times in Merced while on duty and he always had that wondeful smile and personality. Myself and my husband are law enforcement officers and this loss hits us from the heart. Everyday, lives are put on the line to keep others safe. We lost a great officer and a good friend. Prayers to Michelle, the children and all of the family.

T.Maness - Sr. Deputy Probation Officer
Sacramento County Probation Department

May 4, 2004