Officer Down Memorial Page

Dear Po Claggett,

You were my Dad's FTO and now I'm follwing in his footsteps because of you. I will never forget and I appreciate everything you gave including your life to save people. You are a hero and will never be forgotten. #2853

Po Jensen
PGPD
May 26, 2006

This was written to you as a reflection from my son. I told him all about you. I have met Albert, what a outstanding young man.

Cpl. Tom Jensen #2853, EOW 3/9/10, while assigned to District 1, involved in a departmental accident while responding to a Burglary in progress. He is up there with you now, take care of him like you did with me when I came on the department. I will never forget you.

Tom Jensen #729 Sgt. Ret.
Prince Georges County Police
October 18, 2011

L.ovliness is everywhere,
O.ften when we are not aware,
V.ice and whole,
E.ven though it cannot be stole


Grandpa, i really wish you could be here now. if you were you might be proud. may the police force be with all of us claggetts, living and undead

kjc
grandson
May 23, 2011

P.lease watch out for closest family,
E.veryone is living happily,
A.t war we will never have,
C.onclude love happily,
E.veryone shares love

kjc
grandson
May 23, 2011

Hey Uncle Rusty, Today is a happy day in heaven. A reunion of son and parents.Please watch over your sisters now, they are so sad as we all are but I Know that grandma and grandpa are together and happy. They lost you so quickly and now to lose their parents less than 2 weeks apart is almost unbearable.I take comfort knowing how much grandpa loved you grandma.It's your turn to have them with you.......Walk slowly, we'll catch up:' (

Summer Rustyn Spriggs
Niece
February 27, 2011

Grandpa,you may not know me cause we've never seen each other. I am Kyle James Claggett. I am Albert Marshall Claggett's son. I miss you so. I know you watch us from the sky. I believe to be Police Officer. You will always be in my heart. Love you so!

grandson
July 21, 2010

grandpa,you may not know me cause you have never seen me. I miss you so, you watch us from above. Love you

grandson
July 21, 2010

I've been reading the reflections from the past, Rus.
It is no surprise that you have so many people who loved you.
I being one of those lucky ones....
You took a young woman who was basically falling apart and helped to plant her feet firmly on this earth.
I Thank You with all of my heart.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I think of you every single day of my life....with love and the ever present hero worship. I know that you would laugh at that.
But you were, and you are, and ever will be my hero.
Looking forward to that PBJ sandwich!
See ya...(((((RUS)))))
Pam Mortimer

Anonymous
January 12, 2010

If any one of you are a true police professional, who will in fact put handcuffs on a criminal and bring them to the processing area, instead of fiddling and being busy with other stuff, then you are like Officer Claggett. You are the best of the best. I can only try to be as good as he was both on the job and in his personal life. I believe that Officer Claggett was like many who worked with him, and would be the first to step up and help his killer out with any number of problems he had, if anyone bothered to ask Rusty (his nic name). I was proud to be there in 1977 along with P/O Michael Hunter #689 when we were pursuing 3 armed robbers in a Ford T-bird up the B&W Pkwy from DC and when we got on to I-495 north we were promptly passed by P/O Claggett driving a Dodge marked car. Rusty took over the lead and left all of us in the dust. One suspect threw out a gun under US Rt. 1. When the suspects encountered heavy traffic at New Hampshire Ave the driver stopped and gave up. He later told us that he decided he could not outrun the police (Rusty). P/O Claggett was a true hero on so many days. Still, in 2008, 30 years hence, it seems like yesterday that he was murdered. It is shocking and a tragedy. So many times, [only by the grace of god go I]. And to me, Rusty's tragic murder is a perfect example of that. Thank you P/O Claggett for your hard work, for your sacrifice, for keeping us safe from those who want to harm us, and for being the best son you could be to your dad. JD Ignowski.

Lt. James D. Ignowski
PGPD, co-worker
October 6, 2008

Hi Rusty.
What could I possibly say that I haven't already said? I read the last few reflections and cried tears as cold as ice. Those are the deepest ones.
Have you ever looked really close at a tear drop? There are memories stored within them. I just looked into one that had fallen into the palm of my hand. All I could see was a familiar smiling face staring back at me. Is this your way of watching over me? Then let me cry a thousand and one rivers so that you'll always be there.

Sarah
Dreamer and occasional poet
July 21, 2008

Oh, Rus.
That black day of 30 years has come and gone again.
But the deep dark hole in my heart will always remain.
I remember being at my then home in Landover Hills. It was noon, I had just settled my baby daughter down to sleep. I turned on the channel 7 news as always.
The main story--two police officers killed at Hyattsville station.
I had my back to the TV at that moment.
But, even before I had heard any more, I had this deep deep heaviness hit my heart.
I just turned around and there were the 2 pictures of you and Brian.
All I have real memory of is falling...falling...backwards.
And it's like that feeling of falling has never stopped.
I lost a good piece of my heart on that day.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think "My God..how can this have happened?"
But you know what? It did. And it still breaks my heart to bits.
But I also know that one day, you and I can sit together again and have our sandwiches and laugh.
I remember once you were telling me a story about your youngest and something really funny that he had done.
How you smiled and smiled and just went on and on.
I loved that.
You loved your family, that is beyond a doubt.
Everyone that got the opportunity to meet you and be your friend were the luckiest people alive.
Thank You so much, Rus.
For your friendship and your compassion.
Locked......
See ya....Pamela (Only you got away with THAT one!)

Pam Mortimer
Friend--High School Mate
July 19, 2008

Hi Rus. Your niece, born three weeks after you were killed and named after you, told me about this site. It still hurts, after all these years, to go there in my thoughts. You will always be a brother I was so proud to have and loved so much.
You would be proud of that niece, my daughter Summer Rustyn. She looks a bit like you and is a wonderful person. Her fine husband is also a police officer. I know he would have loved to have worked with you - you would have never let him down.
You have two wonderful sons and three grandchildren. I sure wish you could have known them. You would have been blessed and they surely would have been blessed by you.
We love you and will see you again. Penny

Penny Claggett Leclercq
sister
July 2, 2008

Dear Rusty,

It is hard to believe that thirty years ago today you left us. I remember it like yesterday. I remember holding you, telling you to hang in there, telling you to fight. You seemed so calm, so peaceful. I watched you close your eyes and knew you were gone.

I used to wonder how a man could be so at peace, so calm at a time like that ?

One day it finally came to me. I recalled the last night I spoke to you. We were on patrol. We 82ed on the parking lot of the old High's store, on Old Landover Rd. at Coopers La. You talked about your boys. Man you sure were proud of those boys ! Your were all smiles and proud as you could be.

It was then that I realized you were thinking about them when you died. I recognized the look. The same happy expression. That is why you were so calm, so peaceful. You loved them. You knew they loved you. I saw it in your eyes. You were thinking of them.

I went to the cemetary today. I see somebody left you fresh flowers. I am guessing it was them.

Until we meet again my Brother

Lt. John S. Decker # 603
Prince Georges County Police
Hyattsville Station

Lieutenant John S. Decker # 603
Prince Georges County Police
June 26, 2008

Dad,

On this day, I am reminded of the time that I did not get to spend with you. This was not of your doing but a plan of God's. What I miss the most is what I will never be able to do and that is to know you personally. I visit the site where your mortal shell was lain to rest and always knowing that you are with me. My family is what you would have wanted for me. Your grandson is a spitting image of you when you were younger and his personality was like yours as I have been told by your sisters.

You will always be in my heart and the hearts of my wife and your grandchildren. May you watch over us and be a guide for us. I pray that all who have ever known you will be reminded of the kind and loving soul you were.

God called you away for a greater purpose, but you will never be forgotten.

I love you and miss you Dad.

Veneratio quod rectum es maioribus munia Deus could umquam tribuo. Beatus es qui orior oriri ortus ut Filiolus dico quod tractare pius donatus sibimet. Amen

Albert Marshall Claggett V
Son
June 26, 2008

Rusty,

Thirty (30) years have passed since that tragic event that took you and Brian from us. The pain of that day still cuts like a knife. Both you and Brian were an inspiration to me in life and your deaths inspired me to choose my path in law enforcement. I cherish the times we spent together and will NEVER forget either of you...

Sergeant Andrew (John) Mutchler
USSS/UD
June 26, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former Police Officer (Dist. Hts. MD)
June 25, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
November 7, 2007

Rusty,
You were a good husband and father and I know that you have watched over your wonderful sons all these years. You have been missed and never forgotten. I know that you are very proud of the men that your sons have become.
We love you and miss you,
Carolyn

Carolyn
Wife
June 28, 2007

On this day, 29 years ago, you paid the ultimate sacrifice. I am sure your family felt horrible sorrow in your untimely murder as well as terrific pride in your job as a Police Officer. Thank you for bravely and proudly serving your community. You will always be a hero who will NEVER be forgotten!

Sergeant
AR
June 26, 2007

May you always rest in peace knowing that you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police
June 26, 2007

Your dedication to all you served will always be remembered.
Rusty, you were a friend to many and still remembered and missed.

February 14, 2007

Dad,

I never truly got to know you in the three years you were with me. I have now grown into an adult and have two of my own that I wish you could know. You would be proud of the two sons that you briefly knew.

May God keep you close and may you watch over your grand-kids with the ever wactchful eye.

I love you Dad.

Albert

Albert M. Claggett V
Son
August 2, 2006

On this anniversary may we never forget this Warriors sacrifice..May God Grant His family,Fellow Officers, and Friends the Serenity to accept the things they can not change, the courage to change the things they can and the wisdom to know the difference...Rest in Peace Blue Angel.

Officer Debra McFall Ross
East Buffalo Twp PD, Lewisburg, Pa.
June 26, 2006

Dear Po Claggett,

You were my Dad's FTO and now I'm follwing in his footsteps because of you. I will never forget and I appreciate everything you gave including your life to save people. You are a hero and will never be forgotten. #2853

Po Jensen
PGPD
May 26, 2006

Rusty, you are the kindest and most gentle man I have ever known. You were and are my true life hero. You gave without question to many. You will never be out of our hearts and minds. You still keep us safe.
Much Love
Pam

May 11, 2006

Heroes never die.

Sarah
December 18, 2005