Incident
Patrolman Clay Helms succumbed to injuries sustained four months earlier in a Sante Fe Railroad train derailment near Herndon, California.
He was escorting a mental patient to the Stockton State Hospital when the train they were riding in collided with a three-car work train and derailed. Patrolman Helms suffered several internal injuries causing his health to deteriorate until his death.
Patrolman Helms had served with the Fresno Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Helms gave the Fresno Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Helms.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fresno Police Department has lost 15 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Clay is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Clay is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clay is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 5 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1911, 29 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 115th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1911, 42 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 114th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Clay was 28. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Clay had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Clay was 28. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Clay had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clay was 28. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Clay had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.4% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 14.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 15 deaths at Fresno Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fresno Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Clay among them.
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Harry S. Van Meter
Feb 21, 1907
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Lucius C. Smith Oct 10, 1907
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Clay V. Helms May 15, 1911
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Charles L. Rouse
Apr 16, 1916
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James M. Hardenbrook
Jul 31, 1922
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Frank G. Campbell
Jan 15, 1931
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John O. Brame
Jan 22, 1931
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Elmer Forsman
Oct 7, 1946
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Salvador G. Mosqueda
Aug 20, 1973
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Lanny Stevenson
Dec 8, 1979
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John R. Hissong, II
Jul 4, 1981
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William E. Lehn
Jun 21, 1994
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John Donald Herring
Jul 7, 2014
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Angel De La Fuente
Dec 28, 2020
-
Richard Paul Brown, II
Feb 17, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.












