TEXARKANA, Texas - Texarkana Texas Police Department's Lt. Clay McClure's drive and attention to detail are the reasons countless major investigations were successfully solved and prosecuted.
McClure, a 22-year veteran of the department, died Wednesday of COVID and was honored Monday at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in a ceremony including a 21-gun salute, the playing of "Taps," officer's last call on the radio and presentation of the flag to his family. He was 54.
He loved to get together with friends and family and enjoyed sharing memorable and meaningful experiences with them, said Sgt. Jeremy Sutton, who presided over the service streamed live on Texarkana Funeral Home's Facebook page.
McClure worked for Bowie County Sheriff's Office for three years before going to TTPD and had worked as a police officer, deputy, canine handler, sergeant and lieutenant in his career.
But the bulk of his work was in the narcotics and the Criminal Investigations Division to keep his community safe, which remains a big part of his legacy, Sutton said.
He liked to come off as a country boy, but he was very intelligent.
"His greatest skill was his ability to relate to and talk to people. It was unmatched," Sutton said.
McClure did what it took to build a case and would put himself in danger to do so.
"He has willingly walked into situations wearing a T-shirt and armed with just his wit and his personality that most of us would not have gone into without a bulletproof vest and a SWAT team. Clay McClure's bravery is just unmatched and this community owes a debt to Lt. McClure that they can't even begin to understand," Sutton said.
McClure never stopped working and leading by example to teach, and protect, other law enforcement officers.
He took the responsibility of shift commander very seriously working hard to ensure the safety of his officers, some of whom were not even born when McClure began his law enforcement career.
McClure and his wife, Susan, were married 29 years but had been high school sweethearts at age 14.
Sutton said that McClure said that had it not been for his wife's influence, he might have been on the wrong side of the badge.
The couple have one son, one daughter and and two granddaughters.
Sutton thanked the family for sharing McClure with the department and sacrificing their time with him.
He leaves his family and his work family with a lifetime of love and laughter.
"Clay believed in a collection of experiences, not earthly possessions," Sutton said.
He proudly shared the accomplishments of his family members.
He was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman who shared those passions to bond with others.
McClure had lived through numerous dangerous situations protecting and serving and had even ridden out a "full tornado in a pop up camper" so when he contracted COVID, many thought he would beat that, too.
But Sutton said God has another plan for McClure, though we ask why and it doesn't seem fair or necessary.
"It's OK to feel those things," McClure said.
McClure was a jokester and prankster who "brought joy to the place he worked and he also taught us through that sense of humor how to build a life outside of the department."