Perry PD Officer Lourdes Clay to move on to Des Moines PD

Three-year veteran of the Perry Police Department Officer Lourdes Clay announced Tuesday her resignation from the department effective June 14. Clay said she has accepted a position with the Des Moines Police Department.

“I have officially put my resignation letter in with Perry PD and took a position with the city of Des Moines,” Clay said in a Facebook post. “This was not an easy decision as Perry has been like family to me for over three years. I have learned so much about law enforcement in such a small amount of time and am excited to keep learning with a new department.”

Clay said she will start a training program at the Des Moines Police Department Academy June 19.

“I am excited to start this new journey in my life,” Clay said. “Thank you to all who have stood beside me through this crazy process as well.”

She thanked many members of the Perry department in her announcement, starting with her fellow officers.

“I want to start off,” she said, “by thanking my Chief Eric Vaughn, Sgt. James Archer and Jerome Hill and Dan Brickner for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to work for such a wonderful agency. Second my mentor and midnight partner Matt Alan. You have been like a big brother to me. I have learned so much from you, from OWIs to drug interdictions. I am excited to keep learning. I hope one day to follow in your footsteps and becoming a DRE. Thank you for always being willing to help me!”

Clay also thanked the department dispatchers.

“Then there are my dispatchers. Joey Crane, I think you have been crying about me leaving from the day you found out I applied. You have became more like a sister than a friend. Thanks for always having my back! And Ana Jimenez. You were my first midnight dispatcher. Thanks for always listening to me and cooking for me. I will miss everyone at Perry PD. It’s more like a family than an agency.”