Colusa County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch Monday, July 2, 1984
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Michael Wayne McClung
Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.
Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];
"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)
July 1, 2025
Deputy Sheriff McClung,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Colusa County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)
July 2, 2024
Thank you for your service and always know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 2, 2020
Rest In Peace Brother LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service.
Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA
July 2, 2018
I stumbled on this page today. I am Michael's son. I appreciate all of you and loved reading your supportive comments.
I was only an infant when my father died. I have had a great life. I am now a physician. My mother and family have been so supportive to me and I owe everything to them.
Thank you to all that still remember my father and the sacrifice he made!
Matthew Abinante
Son
March 7, 2016
Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless
Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas
July 4, 2015
Mike and I were best of friends throughout high school and worked alongside one another at the Colusa County Sheriff's Department. I echo the words of Williams Police Officer Douglas Harper, that Mike McClung was an exceptional individual with incredible devotion to family, church and career.
Mike McClung truly was one of a kind.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
Elfido Montez, retired
California Highway Patrol
January 17, 2014
I was a Williams city Police Officer The year this man was killed. I responded to, and backed him up on numerous calls. Without a doubt, he was one of the most decent men I have ever met. His main focus in his life was his wife and child.
His command of the Spanish language was amazing, and was a testament to his devotion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). I envied his Moral values, and the devotion he had to his family, his church, and his department. He was someone I wanted to be, but did not have the moral fiber to become. A great man who would have been a great leader in the law enforcement community. Rest in Peace Mike
Patrolman Douglas Harper
Former, Williams City Police
November 1, 2013
To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace
I pray for the soloce of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Phylllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater
December 26, 2012
Thank you for your service.
C. Yarbrough
Citizen
July 2, 2011
Rest in Peace, Deputy McClung. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.
Officer 11169
October 22, 2009
No fellow California law enforcement personnel killed in the line-of-duty, should be forgotten.
Deputy McClung, may Your Soul Rest-In-Peace
Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD
July 2, 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
November 25, 2007
To the family of Deputy McClung and the Sheriff's Dept. My maiden name is Church. I had just started working at the sheriff's Dept. when Michael was killed. I was one of the first people to ever work there as a cadet. I didn't know anything about what takes place when a deputy dies. Unfortunately, I do know. When I left Colusa County, I enlisted in the Army. I met another soldier and we were married. He served in the Army for 20 years. He retired in Aug. 2003 and had already been working for the Harnett County Sheriff's Dept. N.C. since Jan. 2003. He was killed 9-24-03 when his patrol car struck a tree. We have 3 children together and it was devastating for all of us. I and our children now live in Az. Life is hard, but we make the most out of it. I am sorry that I never had the chance to meet Michael, I am sure he was a wonderful man. Today, he is one of God's chosen angels sitting side by side with his brothers and sisters in blue. I believe in my heart that he and my John have spoken and that they are doing God's work. They and their fellow officers in blue will not be forgotten. To Michael's family: never forget how much he loved you and his neighbors. To the sheriff's dept: I pray that you have never forgotten Michael and what he did for the community as well as the great state of Ca. Always keep him and his family in your prayers and pray for your officers daily.
Becky Strickland
September 23, 2005
Deputy Sheriff McClung,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflection-"No fallen officer should be without a reflection."
I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of Colusa County.
R.I.P.
Anonymous
May 7, 2005

