California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Sunday, August 6, 2006
Reflections for Officer Brent William Clearman
Brent William,
You have been in my mind so often. I keep finding signs of you. I think you must be able to know the struggles I am facing in my life, and I can't help but believe that you are somehow trying to give me the strength to get through. If I am right about that, then thank you. All I know is that it comforts me when hints of you are dropped in my view and in my path and in my awareness, when I least expect them.
It is very hard to believe that it has been 5 years since you were taken from us.
Love,
Tara
Tara
Sister
August 8, 2011
Dear Brent:
Five long, sad years have passed since you were taken from us. You will live forever in my heart, but I still mourn for all the years and experiences that were stolen from you. Dad and I and your sisters have had to go on without you, but you are never far from our thoughts. We will always remember you and we will always love you.
Mom
Caroline Clearman
Mother
August 6, 2011
Memorial Day was beautiful... The flags lined the many graves in rememberance of all the lives that were sacrificed in the service of this country... It was a beautiful memorial service there... Good to know that there are many people that know and understand what Memorial Day really is all about...
I miss you... everyday... At times the pain feels as strong as it did the day I had to say goodbye to you... You taught me so much about myself! Your strength strengthened me... without that I never would have survived the past 4 1/2years of being without you... You're memory carries me through each day...
I will always love you and think of you, I am who I am because of you!
Cathy
Surviving Spouse
June 9, 2011
I long for the days spent with you and still wish for more... So many dreams and plans left unfulfilled... You are always in my heart... And I miss you everyday!
Cathy Jo
Wife
April 7, 2011
I will love you forever.... And that Love will transcend... Not even death can change it! It is the one constant....
Cathy Jo
Surviving Widow of Officer Clearman
February 5, 2011
12/10 passed by quietly with no one remembering but me and two of our and now my closest friend... A day that in 2000 changed my life forever... The day you walked into my life dressed in your leather jacket, blue jeans and cowboy boots, and changed my world forever... The greatest event that has effected my life for the best like no other day could or will ever do... Meeting you was the beat thing that ever happened to me... I love you with all my heart! My Honeyco, my love... Miss you so much!
Cathy ( your Keekers )
Your wife
December 11, 2010
Life has stopped... I feel like I'm still in the same place I was four years ago... The world continues to turn, people's lives continue to go on... I feel like I'm still waiting for you to come home... The lump in my throat I have learned how to manage better... I believe people expect me to be better, but I my heart was completely shattered when I lost you... It has healed, but is now hardened with scar tissue and at times continues to bleed... My life ended the day yours did... My energy is spent on showing people what they want to see... That I am strong and continue to live... But inside I feel half dead... I miss you every single day! And continue to remember the life we had and dreams we shared.... I wouldn't change a single thing unless it would bring you back to me...
Cathy
Wife
October 9, 2010
Hey Brent, you have a beautiful, newborn niece! I sure wish you were here to see her. Your sister and her hubby will be wonderful parents. I felt so privliged to be able to be there for the birth.
Love, Mom
Caroline Clearman
Mother
October 3, 2010
Dear Brother,
The kids and I went up to honor you on Friday. It was a lovely afternoon. So peaceful and quiet there on your hillside. It's hard to understand all of this, but like so many others you have touched, I am inspired by you continuously to keep doing whatever I am called to do to the best of my ability.
On my kitchen calendar on August 6 it says "Brent in Heaven 4 years", as if I really need a written reminder. I hope that however you exist now, you are able to feel a connection to us. I don't know if it's just the power of my wishing it, but I feel a connection to you. Someday, after my own last breath, I might unravel the mystery. Until then...
Tara
Sister
August 11, 2010
Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this day. Continue to keep watch over all of them, protect them. I know that not a day has gone by since you were called away that they have not thought about you and they have carried your loving memories in their broken hearts. Thank you for your service to others and to your country. You have not been forgotten.
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." by Albert Pike
Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
August 6, 2010
Hi Brent,
Today of all days, we attended the graveside service in Ilwaco for our friend Phyllis. I shed some tears, mostly for you. Four years ago you were taken from us so suddenly. So often I relive those awful days and it still feels like it is happening now. You are always in my heart and on my mind. I have a sympathy card that I bought to give away and then decided to keep for myself. It has a picture of a mountain and a rainbow with this saying: "I have passed the mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the fimament of complete and unbounded freedom; I am in comfort, I am in peace." by Kahlil Gibran It gives me solace to think of you this way.
Love forever, Mom
Caroline Clearman
Mother
August 6, 2010
On your EOW just to let you know that you are not forgotten.
Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Anonymous
August 6, 2010
I'm sitting here in the rain at the National Cemetary next to where we laid you to rest among other Hero's that fought for this country. At times it feels like I just lost you yesterday and the pain hits me hard. Mainly I feel like I'm in limbo between my past with you and the happiness I felt living life with you, and the future somewhere unkown ahead... It has been very difficult trying to take each step toward that future... But I'm learning that I must continue to live... Move toward my future and take with me all the good parts of our past...
We lost Ojo a couple weeks ago. It is so hard not having her here to comfort me. She went suddenly. She was our baby and I know she was just a dog, but she was part of both of us... I feel very alone in this world now. My only hope is that she found you. Don't lose her because I expect to see you both someday and Taz too in a much happier place.
I miss you but I am getting stronger everyday. I always remember our moto we had together: Quality over quantity.... I intend to live my life to the best Quality I can.... The way you lived yours. Reaching for the top and following my heart and my passions. Losing you, I felt like I lost the Fire you always told me I had... But I think I'm finding it again in the things I am learning to do... Thanks for giving me all the best parts of you, for believing in me and showing me how to believe in and push myself to that next challenge...
Love you Always!
Cathy Jo
Brent's Wife
April 6, 2010
Dear Brent,
I'm thinking of you on your birthday--you would be 37 today. You are in my thoughts and with me all the time. Around our house, we talk about what would Brent do and what would Brent think about certain events and things that are happening in the world today. I feel a little bit safer when I think of you and try to imagine all the things you've done and knowledge you had about preparedness in all ways. You're my role model, you know. Things are tough right now. We're getting by, but boy, could this country benefit from having you here. I have a feeling, though, you are with us in other ways. I love you and always will. Your mark on so many of us will last lifetimes.
Annie Uyematsu
Sister
January 29, 2010
It's amazing how big of an impact one life can make on so many... Happy Birthday Honeyco! I love you and Miss you... 37 years ago you came into this world and just by following your dreams, you served and protected, and you impacted thousands... I feel you have impacted my life more than any and continue to be one of my greatest influences... Thank you for choosing me to share your life with, and thank you for allowing me to share all of the amazing experiences we were able to have together... You lived your life protecting others and protecting me... Thank you for loving me, You are still with me everyday, you always will be! Miss You!
Cathy
Wife of Officer Clearman EOW 8-6-06
January 29, 2010
Hi Brent,
Thinking of you on your birthday. You will be "forever young" as the song says. You are also in my heart forever.
Mom
Caroline Clearman
mother
January 28, 2010
Officer Clearman, I passed by your dedication sign on the freeway this morning. Memories of your funneral came back. I wanted to thank you for you dedicated service to the Marine Corps and to the California Highway Patrol. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this holiday season. Thank you for keeping my community safe.
Bay Area Cop
December 4, 2009
Hi Brent: It's Veterans Day and I just wanted to let you know that I think of you and miss you constantly. When you came back from Iraq, I wanted to know how you were doing and how you felt about things, but never had the opportunity to talk to you about it. That's one of my regrets. I will always love you, my Son.
Mom
Caroline Clearman
Mother
November 11, 2009
Thinking about you today! We miss you
eryn
13447
November 10, 2009
The Marine Corps’ celebrated their 234th birthday today... I can’t help but wonder if I’d still have you with me in this life if you had stayed in the Corps... But you wanted more for us... I miss you... You are always in my thoughts and in my heart... It’s hard to know where to go in life now... All my dreams were intwined so tightly with yours... It just doesn’t make sense without you...
You were my anchor, the one that quieted my restless soul... A look, a touch, the sound of your voice could bring me a calm when things would get too chaotic... I feel very much adrift, and am having difficult finding my own solid ground...
Life has inevitably continued on...I have carried on with all the grace and strength that you would expect from me, but the pain still burns the pit of my stomach and the lump still has its place in my throat... I know eventually I will find my direction again... I will keep humping to the top of that mountain until I get there to ski down the other side... You taught me to always climb so that I wouldn’t lose any elevation, keep going up a little at a time... I’ve lost more than a little and I’m getting lost in the brush...
I’ll find my way, I have no choice in the matter... Thanks for leaving me with alot of loyal and good people that are helping me as much as they can... I have become a part of a larger family... CHP has kept a good watch, and kept their promise to never forget... You are my Warrior, My Hero, and My Husband... And you have been honored by many others for your loyal service to this country and to this State...
Thank you for loving me... thank you for choosing me to be your partner in life... thank you for being my best friend... I really wanted more time, but I am grateful for the time we had, and even if I had known the end result... I would have done it all over again!
Cathy Jo Clearman
Brent's Wife
November 10, 2009
Brent...was just sitting here talking about you to somebody and figured I'd drop in and let you know I was thinking about you. Pretty much all I gotta say. Really miss you bro...
Semper Fi
SGT Chris Bush
2/5 Sniper Platoon
November 8, 2009
Rest in Peace, Officer Clearman. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
October 22, 2009
I just heard the news of Brent's death, three years later. I met Brent at a week long sniper training where he was the instructor. It was a small close group and we got to know Brent and his assistant, Brandon LNU, good enough in that week that I can say he left a lasting positive impression on myself and others. I speak often of the great training we received and the dedication Brent had to us and our law enforcement mission. This is a great loss.
He will be greatly missed and it has sadened all of those I have spoken to that were at that training and got to know Brent. He was a dedicated American, to his country, the Marine Corp., all of those he trained, and the CHP.
It's really sad when the good ones leave us so early. My prayers go out to Cathy Jo and the rest of the Clearman family on this great loss.
Dennis Bergansky
Bedford (Ohio) P.D.
August 10, 2009
I am sending my love to all of you. Please know that I think of Brent & all of his family often.
May God watch over you and help you though these years without Brent.
Richie Grant
Surviving wife of Deputy Dave Grant
August 8, 2009
To Officer Brent William Clearman, his family and his fellow officers with the California Highway Patrol:
Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Officer Clearman’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Officer Clearman and thank you for your service.
Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
August 6, 2009