Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Craig Cloninger and thank you for your service.

CBP Officer(retired), Luis R Otero
DHS/Bureau Of Customs And Border Protection

November 2, 2021

Rest in peace brother. Thank you for your service. God's speed sir.

Lieutenant John C. Moore
Wisconsin State Conservation Warden & State Trooper (Retired)

August 28, 2021

Rest in Peace Officer Cloninger. May the Lord grant your family, friends and co-workers peace during this very difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Deputy Parole Administrator Howard Wykes
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

August 27, 2021

Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.

Lieutenant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
New York

August 24, 2021

The National Police Wives Association would like to extend their heartfelt prayers to the family of Officer Cloninger and the Mount Gilead Police Department during this time. Thank you, Officer Cloninger, for your service.

National Police Wives Association

August 24, 2021

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Reserve Officer Robert Craig Cloninger. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings, Comfort and Peace to his Family, Friends and all Members of the Mount Gilead Police Department, North Carolina.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

August 24, 2021

Rest Easy Officer Cloninger. May the Comfort of God Wash over your Family & Loved Ones, Department & Community in the Upcoming Days, Weeks, Months ahead . You will never be forgotten!

Former 911 Dispatcher S. Wilson
Prattville Police Department, AL

August 22, 2021

Officer Cloninger,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

August 22, 2021

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

August 21, 2021

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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 whose 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

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

August 20, 2021

Prayers of strength to your family and loved ones. Rest in peace sir may you watch over all those you cared for in life and protects us all from evil, Just as you did while here on earth. God Bless.

Municipal Police Officer Lozano, H
LPAD

August 20, 2021

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas H. Kelly Jr.
Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge (ASAC)
New York Field Office
Federal Air Marshal Service

August 20, 2021

Rest Now Brother

Officer Shannon Yates
Collins Police Department (MS)

August 20, 2021

Rest In Peace Craig
Your memory will live on.

Joe Lamonds
NA

August 20, 2021

RIP Officer Cloninger. Thank you fro your service to the citizens of Mount Gilead, Biscoe, Richmond County, Montgomery County and Ellerbe

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

August 20, 2021

RIP

Mrs Cindy Shinners
Step mom to Master Officer Joseph Shinners EOW 1/5/19

August 20, 2021

Officer Cloninger, you are a true hero and your selfless dedication to your job will not go unnoticed by our all-seeing God. Your reward in heaven will be abundant. May God immerse you and your loved ones in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

August 20, 2021

I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Cloninger. I am truly sorry for your loss. It is clear that Officer Cloninger lived a life of service. He will not be forgotten. I am praying for you.

Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland

August 19, 2021

So sad to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers, and friends.

Reserve Police Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

August 19, 2021

Rest In Peace…

Retired Detective Ed Falkowski
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

August 19, 2021

Very sad. Rest in peace brother.

Former Corporal Brian Sullivan
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

August 18, 2021

God bless you, Officer Cloninger. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Captain Ryan M. Martina
Florida Highway Patrol

August 18, 2021

Requiescat in Paces

Sergeants Mike O'Connor
Branford CT PD

August 18, 2021

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Cloninger. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Mount Gilead Police Department.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

August 18, 2021

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

Captain E.Kemmer
Nevada Department of Public Safety

August 18, 2021