Merced detective returns memorial flag to veteran’s widow

The story of a U.S. memorial flag that bounced from person to person has a happy ending.

Thanks to Merced Detective Joe Perez, the memorial flag is in the hands of its rightful owner – the 89-year-old widow of a World War II veteran.

Merced police recovered the flag in October while conducting a probation check on 36-year-old Kamon Stephens, who had other stolen property at his residence. The flag was found with a letter of recognition for Sgt. Melvin L. Spratley’s service in World War II and a piece of mail for a Mary Spratley at a Ceres address.

Perez said Stephens claimed to be holding the flag for a friend, but that didn’t seem right.

“Usually people display those flags proudly on a mantle,” Perez said.

So Perez took the flag for safe keeping and posted about it on Facebook, asking for the public’s help to return the flag to its rightful owner. The Sun-Star also wrote a story about the flag and directed people to contact Perez.

A friend of Mary Spratley contacted Perez saying she lives in Turlock with her son.

On Wednesday, Perez personally delivered the flag to Spratley, whom he called a “sweet woman.” He said Sgt. Melvin L. Spratley was a “true American hero.”

“When it comes to veterans and war medals, they need to be with the proper people – their loved ones,” Perez said.

Sgt. Curt Gorman, who works with Perez, said the gesture was the type of thing that makes him glad to be a cop. “It was very touching,” he said.

Gorman said the flag was worth more than its dollar value. “It’s priceless if that’s your family member,” he said.

And to the Spratley family, the flag is priceless.

Nikki Prine, Spratley’s granddaughter who lives in Chicago, said in a phone interview with the Sun-Star that the family was filled with emotion when they saw the flag on social media.

The Spratley’s home in Ceres was burglarized and set on fire more than five years ago, Prine said. The family was unaware the flag survived the damage.

“We thought they lost everything,” she said.

Melvin Spratley died in 2005 at age 82, according to Modesto Bee archives.

Prine said her grandfather, who served in the Army during World War II, was a devoted Christian. After he returned from the war, he was a pastor. He and Mary were married for 63 years and had 11 children.

This story was originally published November 17, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Merced detective returns memorial flag to veteran’s widow."