Clinton community remembers fallen officer

On Wednesday, candlelight and the community surrounded the front of the Henry County Courthouse in remembrance of Officer Gary Michael.

Michael was killed in the line of duty on Sunday during a traffic stop near the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

His suspected killer, Ian McCarthy, is behind bars after a two-day manhunt. McCarthy was taken into custody Tuesday evening around 6:15 p.m. when a passerby noticed him near Bucksaw Marina.

On Wednesday, law enforcement escorted the body of Michael from Kansas City to Clinton.

The vigil was especially emotional for Michael’s wife, who said these past few days have been extremely hard but she knows she has a family now, referring to the Clinton community. The night was all about the community coming together as law enforcement officers from all over the region came to pay their respects.

Kathy Jackson, a Clinton resident, told ABC 17 News, “it was a way for me to show my support for the law enforcement community,” she said.

Michael was 37 and leaves behind a wife and step sons.

For information on services for Michael, click here.