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79R10367 MMS-D

By:  Craddick                                                   H.C.R. No. 126



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The citizens of West Texas lost a widely esteemed 
lawman with the passing of Clayton McKinney of Midland on August 20, 
2004, at the age of 64; and
	WHEREAS, A native of the Big Bend area, Mr. McKinney was born 
in Marathon on June 4, 1940; early in his career he worked as a pilot 
and game warden, stationed in Van Horn with the Texas Parks and 
Wildlife Department; while associated with that agency, he played a 
key role in the restoration of pronghorn antelope to the Big Bend 
region; and
	WHEREAS, After leaving Texas Parks and Wildlife, Mr. McKinney 
embarked on a stellar 16-year career with the Texas Rangers; based 
in Sierra Blanca from 1969 to 1977 and in Alpine from 1977 to 1985, 
he established effective working relationships with law 
enforcement officers in Mexico; as a result, he was able to achieve 
a significant reduction in drug traffic and to recover a 
substantial amount of stolen property that had been taken across 
the border; and
	WHEREAS, Because of the regard in which Mr. McKinney was held 
and his familiarity with the region, both James A. Michener and 
Larry McMurtry asked that he guide them through the Big Bend country 
in preparation for their respective books, Texas and Lonesome Dove; 
and
	WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding work with the 
Texas Rangers, Mr. McKinney was named the 1978 Big Bend Law 
Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Big Bend Law Enforcement 
Officers Association, and he was also inducted into the Texas 
Ranger Hall of Fame; and
	WHEREAS, Clayton McKinney retired from the Texas Rangers in 
1985 and joined the Midland County Sheriff's Office as a lieutenant 
in the Criminal Investigation Division; over the ensuing months, he 
supervised the clearing of more than 200 burglary cases, an 
accomplishment that led to a marked reduction in illicit narcotics 
activity; in 1987 he instituted a five-year-long series of reverse 
sting operations, which resulted in the arrest of approximately 40 
individuals thought to be major drug offenders and in the seizure of 
currency and property worth approximately $10 million; and
	WHEREAS, For his successes in combating the illegal drug 
trade, he was named the 1986 Greg McFarlin-Max Banks Law 
Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Sheriffs' Association of 
Texas and, in 1987, designated the 200 Club Law Enforcement Officer 
of the Year by the 200 Club of Midland; and
	WHEREAS, Promoted to chief deputy in 1996, Mr. McKinney was 
instrumental in resolving a nationally publicized hostage 
situation in Fort Davis in 1997; in the wake of that incident, the 
Midland County Sheriff's Office established S.T.A.R., Sheriffs of 
Texas Agreed Response, to better prepare sheriffs' offices around 
the state to respond to natural or man-made disasters; as head of 
the program, Mr. McKinney directed the coordinated training of 
numerous sheriff's deputies and the distribution of surplus 
military equipment to many sheriffs' departments; and
	WHEREAS, After more than three decades in the law enforcement 
profession, Mr. McKinney retired from the Midland County Sheriff's 
Office in 2002 and joined NCS Pearson, Inc.; in his new capacity, he 
helped to evaluate airport security across the nation; and
	WHEREAS, During those years he also worked on a project to 
build a new, county-owned prison in Hudspeth County; that facility, 
the West Texas Detention Center--Ranger Clayton McKinney Unit, was 
dedicated on August 14, 2004; Mr. McKinney was further honored by 
Midland College, which has established a law enforcement 
scholarship in his name; and
	WHEREAS, This acclaimed law officer was the husband of Jean 
McKinney and the father of three sons, all of whom followed him into 
the field of law enforcement; and
	WHEREAS, Throughout his long and distinguished career, 
Clayton McKinney exemplified the highest ideals of his profession 
and contributed immeasurably to the safety and well-being of 
countless fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby pay special tribute to the memory of Clayton McKinney and 
extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family:  to his wife, 
Jean McKinney; to his sons and their spouses, Clay McKinney and his 
wife, Brenda, Troy McKinney and his wife, Kim, and Rory McKinney and 
his wife, Katrina; to his grandchildren, Clay Ryon, Jake, Sarah, 
Brooke, Clayton, Hannah, Ember, Ethan, and Evan; to his brother, 
Billy Pat McKinney; to his sister, Midge Gooch; and to his other 
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory 
of Clayton McKinney.