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Incident
Sergeant Emilio Mestas was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance caused by a large group of teenagers. Several subjects had led officers in a vehicle pursuit and led them to a home on Oak Street where approximately 40 teenagers had been causing a problem all night. As several officers got out of their patrol car, one of the teenagers opened fire, striking Sergeant Mestas in the head. He was taken to Northwest Texas Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound the following morning. The suspect was apprehended, convicted of involuntary manslaughter, and sentenced to ten years in jail. Sergeant Mestas was a United States Army WWII veteran and had been with the Clayton Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Emilio is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Mestas gave the Clayton Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clayton community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Emilio Mestas served in the U.S. Army (1942â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Emilio is the only officer of Clayton Police Department remembered here.
Emilio is one of 123 officers killed feloniously in NM, 63.7% of the 193 remembered there.
Emilio is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Emilio is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 2 officers in NM were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 77 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 4.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Emilio was 55. Of the 107 killed feloniously in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 37. Emilio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Emilio was 55. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Emilio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Emilio was 55. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Emilio had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13% of these deaths in NM; February holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clayton Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.7% of all 193 deaths in NM, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Emilio Mestas served in the U.S. Army (1942–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Emilio Mestas’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Clayton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.