Grayson — Honoring those who have died in the line of duty is long overdue for two of Carter County’s own, Duane Suttles said.

Recently, the Grayson city coucilman proposed that the city put up signs dedicated to the memory of Grayson Police Department Officer Jack Claywell and Grayson firefighter Randy Utley.

“I was one of the first firefighters on the scene when the police crusier Jack was in collided with a vehicle they were looking for,” Suttles said, remembering the night Claywell died in 1983. “Jack was a super guy and a great father.”

Suttles, who is also the coordinator of State Fire Rescue Training in Area 9, said Claywell was in his mid- to late-20s when he died on June 19, leaving behind two young children and a wife.

“His wife passed on five years ago,” Suttles said. “This is something she won’t get to see but I hope his children will get to be a part of the ceremony. But, right now, I have no way of contacting them.”

Twenty years later, almost to the date, Randy Utley responded to a call in his personal car on June 16, 2003. Suttles said he’d worked closely with Utley at the fire department, which is volunteer based.

“He was driving to the fire station from his home,” Suttles explained. “The call came in during a very bad thunderstorm. Randy’s car hyrdoplaned and hit a billboard sign.”

The city council has already adopted two resolutions that designate two portions of Main Street to the two men. Main Street East will be known as “Officer Jack Claywell Memorial Highway” and the area west of Carol Malone will be known as “Firefighter Randy Utley Memorial Highway.”

“I’ve noticed in other parts of the state signs on certain parts of the highway similar to the ones we want to put up,” he said. “My only purpose is to honor these two individuals and to remind our citizens, who drive up and down Carol Malone multiple times a day, about the ultimate sacrifices they’ve paid.”

Suttles said one of the biggest questions people have about these resolutions is, “Will the street names be changed?”

“No,” he said. “Nothing will change. These are just signs that will be erected announcing the memorials.”

The next step, Suttles said, is to get with Sen. Charlie Borders, R-Grayson, to figure out how to go about getting the signs.

“They’re in session right now,” he said. “But the first opportunity I get, I will talk to him. I felt confident that having the resolutions passed would get the ball rolling with the project. I can’t see that anyone would have a problem with honoring these men.”

SARAH LYNCH can be reached at (606) 326-2650 or slynch@dailyindependent.com.