Nonprofit honors fallen Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns

Global nonprofit Point 27 recently honored fallen Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle near Channahon as he was clearing debris from the highway on Dec. 23, 2024.

Point 27 sent gifts of scripture-inscribed Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength dog-tag necklaces to the Illinois State Trooper’s Office for Carns’ partner and troopers who worked closely with him; and scripture-inscribed Folded Flag Pendant Keepsake Necklaces for his family.

Based in Atlanta, Point 27 is headed by US Army (Ret.) Col. David Dodd.

“It is tragic that this officer and his family sacrificed so much,” Dodd said. “We salute their courageous and selfless commitments to service and sacrifice.”

Dodd first founded Point 27 to honor members of the military, fallen members of the military and their families. In 2016–at the request of the law enforcement community–Point 27’s outreach expanded to include gifts of the Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength for law enforcement officers.

“In the last few years, the radical turn in some communities against law enforcement has magnified the need for encouraging law enforcement officers and their families, who are risking and facing so much,” Dodd said.

The face of the Thin Blue Line Shield of Strength shows an engraved silver American flag face designed with one flag stripe of blue. The back of the dog tag is inscribed with Matthew 5:9,” Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

The design and scripture were chosen by law enforcement officers.

The Folded Flag Pendant necklaces are engraved with John 15:13; “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”