Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

December 25, 2024

May God grant you eternal peace Trooper Carns. May He also grant your grieving family peace and solace in this time of holiday and celebration of the birth of Christ. Your brothers have the watch from here, rest easy.

Tyler Trappen, EMT
White Oak EMS

December 25, 2024

Rest in peace Trooper Carns.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2024

RIP Hero. May you forever spend your eternal life with our dear Lord in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with all your loved ones. Our country is now a little less safe without you. Thank you for your service.

HEROES NEVER DIE....

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

December 24, 2024

Rest in Peace Trooper Carns. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Carns Family and the Illinois State Police.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

December 24, 2024

My deepest condolences to the entire Carns family, especially his wife, two children and his loving parents. May Clay's soul forever rest in Heaven.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

December 24, 2024

Thank you for your service.

Dmytro Goloborodko

December 24, 2024

RIP Trooper Carns. Thank you for your service to the state of Illinois

Lieutenant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police
Boston, Ma. 02120

December 24, 2024

Rest in peace Brother....My thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of your agency during this most difficult and tragic time

LT. Joseph Ward, Ret
Jackson, NJ PD

December 24, 2024

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

December 24, 2024

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Trooper, Clay M. Carns, in the line of duty. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Trooper makes the ultimate sacrifice. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

December 24, 2024

Rest easy, brother thank you for your service. May your sacrifice or memory never fade.

Retired #8046 Jerry Matalone
Des Moines Iowa Police Department

December 24, 2024

Rest in Paradise Brother Trooper. Prayers for your family and co-workers. Thank you for your service.

Retired M/Sgt Lisa Ditzler
Illinois State Police D-16

December 24, 2024

may HIS light shine perpetual upon his face

Chief Jim Allen (retired)
Mobile County Child Support

December 24, 2024

Trooper Carns, a police officer should be remembered not by how he died but by how he lived! A brave man has left to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you for your 11 years of commitment to law enforcement, your family, and the Illinois State Police. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace, Brother!

Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH

December 24, 2024

My condolences to your family and friends. My prayers that their Christmas isn't always remembered by this tragic death. I remember my mother said those who are called to the Lord during the week of Christmas are angels.

Citizen
Citizen

December 24, 2024

Rest in peace, Tropper Clay Carns. My condolences to his family and co-workers.

(Ret) Sgt Thomas McCarthy
NYPD

December 24, 2024

This is a horrible Tragedy!! May God be with your wife and children and the rest of your family and friends!!! God rest your soul. So sorry BROTHER....

Emanuel Gonzalez
Alsip PD retired

December 24, 2024

Rest in Peace, Trooper!

Ptl. B L Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH

December 24, 2024

God rest your soul, Trooper Clay Carns. May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten.

Investigator Christopher Port (Ret.)
California Highway Patrol, Valley Div. MAIT

December 24, 2024

God rest your soul, Trooper Clay Carns. May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has 46 to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten.

Investigator Christopher Port (Ret.)
California Highway Patrol, Valley Div. MAIT

December 24, 2024

Dear Director Brendan F. Kelly:

I hope this reflection finds you well, though I understand it is an incredibly tough time for you, and everyone connected to your department. I am writing to extend my heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences for the loss of Trooper Clay M. Carns, a brave and dedicated lawman.

The news of Trooper Carns’s death has deeply saddened me and my entire family. The sacrifice that he made while protecting and serving your community is a testament to the selfless and courageous nature of law enforcement officers like him. We can never truly understand the risks and challenges faced by those in law enforcement, and we are forever indebted to them for their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe.

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Trooper Carns’s family and colleagues during this immensely challenging time. Their loss is immeasurable, and we can only hope that the outpouring of support from the community can offer some comfort in these trying times.

In times like these, we must remember the positive impact Trooper Carns had on countless lives throughout his life and career. The memories of his dedication, kindness, and professionalism will remain etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

To you, Director Kelly, and the entire Illinois State Police, my family and I want to express our gratitude for the vital work you do each day, often in the face of danger and adversity. The sacrifice of your fallen colleague serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with your line of duty. Despite the risks, you continue to serve with integrity and unwavering commitment, and for that, we are immensely thankful.

Having served 44+ years as a Law Enforcement Professional, my family stands with you during this time of mourning. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to support your fallen hero’s family, you, and your department during this difficult period.

May the memories of Trooper Carns, a brave and dedicated professional, be a source of strength and may his legacy inspire others to follow in his footsteps of honor and service. We will forever be indebted to the sacrifice he made to keep us safe.

With deepest sympathy,

Don P. Jensen Sr. - PM, PP, PGP, DrE
Chief of Police (retired)

December 24, 2024

Hero never forgotten. Prayers to family blood and blue.

BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher

December 24, 2024

My condolences and sympathies in this very sad moment for the loss of a remarkable human being, a Police Officer who dedicated his life to serve and protect his community . May God give strength to his family to bear this heart-wrenching pain, especially during the holidays. May God have mercy on his soul and embrace him in the gates of heaven. Farewell for now and we will see you later since everyone in this world will have to go through that road one way or another.

Rafael D Martinez USN veteran
US Navy Veteran

December 24, 2024

Rest in peace young Trooper
Thank you for protecting us

Brian Kiernan
US Army Military Police/VAPD

December 24, 2024