Austin Police Lieutenant Clay Crabb was laid to rest today. He was killed last week while driving to work in heavy rain – one day before his 43rd birthday.
Hundreds of police officers came from all over Texas for the funeral and tears flowed freely as mourners remembered the decorated 19-year veteran police officer, father of three and husband of 10 years.
A bouquet of red roses stood out among the many flowers that surrounded Lieutenant Clay Crabb’s casket. Red roses were his favorite. He would send them to his wife Anne all the time.
“He even sent flowers on his birthday” said Reverend Paul Meyer. Meyer was Crabb’s pastor.
Lt. Crabb loved kids. He investigated cases of child abuse and volunteered for children’s charities. The children he loved the most, though, were his own.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo spoke to Crabb’s children. “Harrison, Megan, Ronin: I hope you like seeing movies. We will be going to the movies on a regular basis, and whatever you need, I will be here for you.”
The men and women in uniform offered a standing ovation to the Crabb family. They also used the word “brother” when talking about him, in particular, Det. Ken Casaday, Crabb’s former patrol partner.
“It was an honor and privilege to have known Clay and to call him a close friend,” said Casaday, fighting tears and staring at the flag-draped casket. “Clay, I’ll miss you.”
He and others said they’ll miss Lt. Crabb’s practical jokes and his dry sense of humor.
Lieutenant Clay Crabb is survived by a large extended family and by his wife Anne Marburger Crabb. The couple had three children, 9-year-old Harrison , 7-year-old Megan and 4-year-old Ronin.
