Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer William Rayvon Gilmore Jr. will always be remembered. RIP sir.

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

August 18, 2022

Rest in peace Patrol Officer Gilmore.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2021

To all those who remember my father and has written comments on his "reflections" page. We see each and every comment and our family truly appreciates your continued support. Much love and prayers to each of you!

Amy
Daughter

August 26, 2020

To all those who remember my father and has written comments on his "reflections" page. We see each and every comment and our family truly appreciates your continued support. Much love and prayer to each of you!

Amy
Daughter

August 26, 2020

I went through Basic with Ray at Durham Tech in 1980. He was such a hoot - loved Clayton, loved the fact he was going to be a cop, funny and enthusiastic. We called him "Ray Clayton". We were so appalled when we got the news of his murder so soon after commissioning. It was a sobering moment for the launch of every classmate's career. My respect and love.

Chief Lewis Wardell
Duke Public Safety, Duke Police and Durham Police Department

April 10, 2020

RIP Brother, gone but never forgotten.

Deputy S.P.Lapsley
HCSO (formally CPD Lt.)

January 30, 2020

Officer Gilmore, we honor your sacrifice to the Town of Clayton on this the anniversary of your tragic and untimely death. Flags at the Clayton Law Enforcement Center are flying at half-staff and every officer wears a black mourning band on their badge today. We will continue serving in your stead and promise to never let your memory fade. Rest easy, we got this! We are the "Keepers of Clayton."

CHief Blair Myhand
Chief of Police

January 30, 2019

To the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Gilmore: I just want to let you know that I mailed a "NO PAROLE Letter", today, on Officer Gilmore's behalf. I am very sorry for your loss. Officer Gilmore's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten! He is FOREVER A HERO! God Bless you all!

Allie
Supporter of Law Enforcement
Wife of Corrections Deputy

July 19, 2017

Ray, when I think of you I think of us as children playing cops and robbers. We had good times as children playing that game. When we would get shot in the game we could get up and keep playing. I wish it had been pretend on that night in January 1982. I miss you my cousin and friend. I love you always!

Pamela Dean
Cousin

January 8, 2017

Ray, you are on my mind often even after so many years have passed. I wish I had been with you on that awful night. The hardest task I ever had to perform was to take your killer to jail and retain my composure.

RIP my friend. Perhaps we will meet again in the next world.

Asst. Chief J.B. Weaver Ret.
Clayton P.D.

May 1, 2015

The true measure of a hero is when an Officer lays down their life with the knowledge that those they save... will never know

SMSgt (USAF-Retired) Ed Keeney
USAF Security Police

October 5, 2014

The way you used to pick on me, Ill never forget you and your laugh I can still see. I miss you so much Ray. I love you and you will always be in my heart.

Wanda Rhodes,
sister-in-law

September 12, 2013

I MISS YOU DADDY! I wish you were here!

Amy Celeste Gilmore Brown
Daughter

June 29, 2013

Ray,
I can't believe it's been over 30 years since we lost you. I still carry the photo of you and your family with me. You were with me during many late shifts. You were a great friend and I've never forgettn you and the times we had. I hope I made you proud.

Lieutenant J.C. Williams (Ret.)
NC State Highway Patrol

June 4, 2012

You were a good friend. I know your family must have been very proud of you. You will never be forgotten.

Donna
friend

November 29, 2011

You were such a good friend. I will never forget you and think of you often.

Anonymous

February 25, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service go my home state and the birthplace of my son. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 30, 2011

Officer Gilmore you will never be forgotten. I now patrol these streets that you once looked after. I see your picture in the hallway at the p.d. when I come on duty and it helps me to remember that life for us could be cut short at any time by a coward out there on those streets. I make sure to tell my kids and wife that I love them everyday just in case they never see me again. Officer Gilmore, you will never be forgotten at Clayton P.D.

Patrol Officer Miguel Duran Jr.
Clayton Police Department

February 1, 2010

I just happened upon your memorial and am truly saddened that your killer still breathes and walks 25 (now 26) years later. I, myself, breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that he was denied parole. The fact that a "cop-killer" even has that option still angers me! You were taken too soon, yet it seems as though you left behind a legacy with your children. Thank you for your service, and may you continue to rest easy, knowing you left behind a spirit that lives on to this day.

Anonymous

October 15, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 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

December 26, 2007

Daddy...I Love You very much! I think about you ALL the time. I married a Police Officer in 2003, Stacy Brown. He is now the Chief Of Police in Micro, NC. We have 2 beautiful boys, Dyson Lee and Caiden Ray. I MISS YOU and FIGHT FOR YOU EVERYDAY!

Amy Celeste Brown
Your Daughter

August 4, 2007

I first would like to apologize for taking so long to post my reflections of Ray Gilmore, but Ray you have never been forgotten. As I reflect, I remember you were a very good man and a great friend. I can never remember you ever treating anyone with nothing less than respect, whether they were black, white or other and I think thats why we got along so well. You loved your wife and your son very much. Ray I think you also loved the Police Department very much also. I remember when you were A dispatcher and would ride with me after you got off work until your wife would call and make you come home. You were so real and I can't tell you how much it hurt when you lost your life. I trained you and I love you and I miss you
Ronald Rawlings

Chief Ronald Rawlings
Former co-worker and supervisor

May 3, 2007

Officer Gilmore Jr.,


On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sense we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department’s North Precinct will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergeant V.T. Rosen

Sergeant V.T. Rosen
henry County Police Deparment

January 30, 2007

"The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us." - Jean Paul Richter

Ray,
You're not forgotten.

January 30, 2007