08/16/2026
THANK YOU, STAPLETON, GEORGIA
This one is hard to write.
This was my last weekend working for the Stapleton Police Department and serving the City of Stapleton, Georgia. As I finished my final weekend of patrol, I found myself thinking about the people, the families, the children, the businesses, and even the animals I have gotten to know during my time here.
First, I want to thank the Stapleton City Council, Mayor Lisa Cranford, and Chief Jason Jones for giving me the opportunity to serve this great little city. Chief Jones, thank you for giving me the opportunity to put on the Stapleton Police Department uniform and trusting me to serve this community.
I believe God opens doors in our lives for a reason. Some doors lead us to places we never expected, and others tell us when the time has come to move forward. God has opened another door for me, and I am going to step through it and see where my future takes me.
But before I do, I need to say thank you.
To the people of Stapleton, thank you for allowing me to patrol your streets, your neighborhoods, your homes, and your businesses. More importantly, thank you for allowing me to become part of your community.
Thank you for the waves when I drove by, the conversations when I stopped, the laughs, the handshakes, the prayers, and all the times someone simply asked, “How are you doing, Officer?”
Those little things meant more to me than you knew.
One of the things I will miss the most is our children. Thank you to the parents who allowed me to talk with your kids, laugh with them, encourage them, and spend time with them during the summer. I always wanted our young people to see the person behind the badge and know they had someone they could approach, talk to, and trust.
I tried every day to serve Stapleton the best way I knew how, using my training and experience while remembering something even more important, treating people like people.
I also want to personally thank some people who became part of my time here.
Sutton’s Towing, thank you for always being there.
The staff at Silver Linings, thank you for always treating me with kindness.
To the management and staff at Jet Food Store, I made a lot of stops through those doors. Thank you for the conversations, laughs, and friendship.
To everyone at Dollar General, thank you for always welcoming me and supporting our department.
To the owners of Papi Wood Shop, thank you for always making me feel welcome.
And to Stapleton Baptist Church, thank you for the prayers, fellowship, support, and especially those great meals. I will remember them.
And I have to mention some members of this community who never spoke a word to me.
The dogs and cats of Stapleton.🙌
Looking out for the animals in this community became something close to my heart. I simply wanted to make sure they were treated with kindness, given proper care, and treated like members of the family.
During those hot Georgia summers and cold winter days, I wanted to know our animals had food, water, shelter, love, and someone looking out for them.
They couldn’t speak for themselves, so I tried my best to be a voice for them. Every dog and cat deserves love, compassion, and a home where they are treated like family.
To everyone in Stapleton who ever waved at my patrol car, stopped and talked with me, shared a meal with me, prayed for me, trusted me with a problem, thanked me for being there, or simply made me feel welcome, please know I will remember you.
I came here to work as a police officer.
I leave with friendships, memories, and a connection to a community I will always appreciate.
Thank you, Stapleton, for allowing Officer Gabriel Mendez to serve you.
This isn’t goodbye.
It’s simply…
SEE YOU LATER.
Officer Gabriel Mendez
Stapleton Police Department
