Correctional Officer Merle E. Clutts

Correctional Officer Merle E. Clutts | United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government
United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government
Correctional Officer Merle E. Clutts

United States Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Government

End of Watch Saturday, October 22, 1983

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Merle E. Clutts

Correctional Officer Merle Clutts was killed when he was stabbed by an inmate with a homemade prison shank at USP Marion in Marion, Illinois.

The suspect, a former leader of the Aryan Brotherhood, was being escorted back to his cell after having a shower when another inmate slipped him a shank. The suspect then ran down the tier and attacked Correctional Officer Clutts whom he had a vendetta against. By the time the officers got the suspect off Correctional Officer Clutts and got him to safety, he had been stabbed 40 times. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison where he died in May 2019.

Prior to Officer Clutts' murder the suspect had murdered three fellow inmates. One of the three shot and killed Officer Henry W. Jennings of the Hartford, Connecticut, Police Department on May 25, 1964.

Just eight hours later Correctional Officer Robert Hoffmann would be murdered in the same prison in an unrelated incident.

Correctional Officer Clutts had served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 19 years.

Bio

  • Age 51
  • Tour 19 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Stabbed
  • Location Illinois
  • Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
  • Offender Deceased
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In every tragedy one can find a glimpse of hope. I hope no other C.O. ever has to suffer what Officer Merle Clutts went through. He looks like he was a happy guy and just about to retire and start a new life after prison.....Very sad.
I hope all active C.O.'s remember the inmates are all still human and as such have feelings too. They may react very
adversely to even a simple comment or look and make much ado about nothing in their minds. Please remember with the only human contact being you the C.O. perhaps all day, all week they will boil down that word or look into who knows.....so please I think if Merle were able to tell and teach you anything he would want to say don't . Dont bother, disturb, laugh at, or about that locked up person. Withhold your emotions and personal thoughts....it may save your life.....Merle did not deserve what happened.....I hope they found peace in the rest Jesus brings to all who believe in and upon his death on the cross..but
More importantly his resurrection where we are all invited to find salvation and eternal life in a sin free
Paradise and God's glory..

David S.
None

September 15, 2019

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