NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — (Nashville Episcopal Area) Bishop Bill McAlilly's nephew, a police officer, was killed in the line of duty in Tupelo, Miss., on Dec. 23. On Dec. 31, McAlilly shared on his blog the message he delivered at Kevin Gale Stauffer Jr.’s Service of Death and Resurrection:
Many of you have reached out to our family in the midst of death of my nephew, my sister’s son, Gale Stauffer, who died December 23. He was tragically killed in the line of duty, serving the City of Tupelo on the Tupelo Police Force. Below is the message I shared at Gale’s Service of Death and Resurrection. 
We are deeply grateful for your many, many prayers, cards, letters , text messages and calls as we have walked the valley of the shadow of death. We are grateful we do not walk alone.
Kevin Gale Stauffer, Jr.
June 22, 1975-December 23, 2013
Lord our God, the death of Gale who has been son, brother, husband, father, grandson and friend, recalls the human condition and the brevity of our lives on earth. But, for those who believe in Your love, death is not the end. Nor, does it destroy the bonds that You forge in our lives. We share the faith of Your Son’s disciples and the hope of the children of God. Bring the light of Christ’s resurrection to this time of testing and pain as we pray for Gale and for one another who loved him deeply, through Christ our Lord. Amen.