Sgt. Raymond Eugene Daniels

He was born in Cleveland, Mississippi on June 15, 1979. He attended Mississippi Delta Community College’s Law Enforcement Academy, graduating in 2002 as a certified police officer. He married Kristy McCain Daniels on September 4, 2004. In the summer of 2006, they moved to the Ridgeland area where they welcomed Lauren that November. In 2011, they welcomed Jacob as the caboose to their family.

As a public servant, Ray shared his life protecting and serving the communities he lived in and loved for 20 years. During his 16-year career with Ridgeland Police Department, he served the city as a patrolman, training officer, supervisor and swat operator - with his longest tenure as an interdiction officer and partner to K9 Canon. Shortly after Canon’s death in 2016, he began his time as a training officer and was eventually called back to patrol in 2020 as a supervisor.

Prior to his career with Ridgeland Police Department, he served the City of Cleveland and the surrounding area through the Cleveland Police Department, the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Center and the Volunteer Fire Department Battalion 1. He was also a founding member of the Delta K9 Search and Rescue Unit.

Across a 20-year career history, Ray’s passion for serving others through law enforcement was undeniable. Those who worked with him and for him describe him as a wonderful leader and trusted friend to many. As a K9 handler, he set the bar for community policing and purposeful engagement. As an instructor, he stabilized the training program - developing and leading the next generation of police officers for Ridgeland. As a supervisor, he led from the front - with empathy and integrity. Ray’s impact and service to the city and its police department will forever be enshrined in those he served and those he served with, especially the men and women who will continue to carry his legacy.

Continuing his service to the community and others around him, Ray was a proud member of Pearl Lodge #23. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he rose in rank to Master Mason by the age of 39. He was active in his membership, which was originally established through the Cleveland Lodge #470. He valued his time with his lodge brothers as he endeavored to live out the lodge’s core values of honor, integrity and character - working to better his community.

As a father and husband, Ray loved his family fiercely. He met Kristy when she moved to Cleveland for school in 1999. Their love was big and magnetic - establishing the foundation of what would become their family and legacy. When Lauren and Jacob were born, it was immediately clear that they hung the moon - figuratively and literally.

Together, Ray and Kristy worked to create experiences for them, ones that allowed them to appreciate the simple and calming retreat of nature but also how to never underestimate the value of friendship, hearty conversation and community through time with friends. It could also be said that sitting in a deer stand in the early hours of the morning taught everyone patience (and also maybe a little grace for all the missed deer).

Everyone knew what Kristy, Lauren and Jacob meant to Ray. They were an indisputable part of who he was. His love for them will echo across time.

As a friend, Ray was full of laughter, practical (and maybe sometimes inappropriate) jokes, terrible dance moves and a heart for loving his people like no other. He was an avid tinkerer, technology guru, woodworker and a general jack-of-all-trades. According to his friends, there were very few things he couldn’t do. The first to lend a hand to someone in need or to help with problem-solving, he always made time for those who needed him.

During his time on Earth, he wore many hats - husband, father, brother, son, grandson, godfather, friend and public servant. However, none were more important than his role as a child of God. In 1 Peter 4:8, we are called to love one another, deeply. While taken too soon, this is a charge that is evident throughout the course of Ray’s life. His story is big, but his testimony is bigger. The impact of who he was and the life he led will be felt for generations to come.

He is survived by his wife, Kristy, his daughter Lauren (15) and his son Jacob (10).

He is also survived by his parents, Cathy Tharp Daniels and Raymond Edward Daniels, of Cleveland; his sister, Mandy Oswalt (Stacey) and niece, Emma, of Boyle; his uncles, Danny Tharp (Faye) of Cleveland and David Daniels (Ann) of Greenvile; his sister-in-law, Samantha McCain, of Hattiesburg; his father/mother-in-law, Donald and Sharon McCain, of Brandon; and a godson, Charles “Charlie” Wong (4), of Olive Branch.

He is preceded in death by K9 Canon, his partner for five years.

He is also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Eloise Weeks Tharp and Eugene Tharp and his paternal grandparents, Geraldine and Robert Daniels.

Funeral arrangements include visitation for Wednesday, July 13, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Thursday, July 14, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. The funeral service will also take place on Thursday, July 14 at 2 p.m. Both visitation and the service will take place at Pinelake Church - Madison Campus (located at 223 Old Jackson Rd, Madison, MS). The graveside service will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery (located at 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS).

Pallbearers include Eddy Addison, Joey Butler, Patrick Craig, Scott Melichar, Blake Stanley and Garrett Wong.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.parkwayfuneralhomeridgeland.com for the Daniels family.