Posted on May 3 at 4:56 p.m.

I am deeply saddened at hearing the news of this tragedy. I have known Steve and Laura for at least 30 years. I had worked with Laura over numerous years until I moved to Willows and found her to be a friend. Her compassion regarding victims, tenacity in pursuit of those committing criminal offenses, and completeness of her work were only a cornerstone of her persona . Devoted to family, friends and community her zeal for a better community enriched everyone that ever had the opportunity to work with and know her.

The Law enforcement profession and the community overall have sustained an immeasurable loss with Laura’s passing. Law Enforcement and the entire community will suffer from this catastrophic occurrence for numerous years.

To Steve and the Cleaves family, I can not with words appropriately express to you the deepness to the slightest degree of my sorrow in your loss. The words to convey to you the heart felt loss are very hard to properly address the degree and magnitude of loosing Laura. I can only thank you for sharing this wonderful and caring person with the rest of us.

God Bless

William Spears/Chief of Police/City of Willows

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