Correctional Officer Clifford Joseph Grogan, Sr

Clifford Joseph Grogan, Sr

Correctional Officer Clifford Grogan was stabbed to death after coming to the aid of a fellow officer who was being attacked in the Western Penitentiary.

He was just finishing up his shift when he observed the attack at approximately 3:15 pm. When he attempted to pull the inmate off of the other guard he slipped and went down on one knee. The inmate then started attacking and stabbing him with a 10-inch shank, striking him in the heart.

Not realizing that he had been stabbed, Officer Grogan continued to struggle with the suspect and was able to subdue him. Officer Grogan passed out from a loss of blood and succumbed to the stab wounds.

The inmate was serving a 30 to 60-year sentence for an armed robbery conviction in 1962. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death on November 2nd, 1966.

Officer Grogan was a U.S Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for seven years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons.