Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Charles Clinton Black

Maine State Police, Maine

End of Watch Thursday, July 9, 1964

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Reflections for Trooper Charles Clinton Black

your death greatly affected our family i wish i could have met you rest in peace grandpa

Amanda Black -Civilian
Ggranddaughter

August 14, 2011

I knew Charlie as an USAF Aviation Cadet where he wanted to serve his country as a pilot. That wasn't to be and he went home to Maine to serve in another manner. Many of us remember his wit and friendly way. God bless and rest in peace, brother.

tom walsh
former USAF friend

August 21, 2010

To the Memory of a Maine Hero, Trooper Charlie Black
I was affiliated with the Maine State Police as a young Cadet at Headquarters until I went to the MSP Academy at Camp Keyes in '66. I never met Charlie, but his death by the murderous perpetrators in that So. Berwick bank robbery was indelibly etched on my brain. I always thought about Charlie when I would find myself out on patrol in Troop H and in Troop B for the 7 years I was with the MSP. He has been taken from his loving family and a grateful state police department but he is not forgotten even some 44 years later. I left the MSP to join up with UPS in '72 until retiring in '99 but I have never forgotten the impact this dedicated professional trooper had on his colleagues, the state and the community he resided in with his family. Can any of us ever forget--never, never in a 100 years!

Rayne G. Poussard
Maine State Police 1965-1972

May 3, 2008

Rest in Peace!

Police Corporal Matt Lyons (Historian)
Oceanside Police Department, Cal

January 21, 2008

I attended court in So.Berwick that day with SP Officer Major Harold Scribner,my next door neighbor.I have always had a high respect for the law as I lived in a neighborhood of three SP officers.I shall never forget when a man shouted out "the bank is being robbed" My heart went out to the family of Officer Charles C.Black although I never knew him,I will never forget that sad day in So.Berwick,Maine when for a while,My world stood still

Wilfred Dj Vachon jr. civilian
Much respect for the Maine state Police

December 11, 2007

Brother Black,
I was a school kid sitting in the sun when I saw you respond from the District Court to the bank robbery in progress. I will never forget what I saw next. Rest in peace, Brother. You did what you had to do. I hope that future officers learn from your sacrifice. Rest in peace.
JF

Sgt. John Fanning
Portland PD

September 6, 2007

Trooper Black
At the time of your murder I was 13 years old. At that time the State did not provide pension benefits for officers killed in the line of duty. I lived in down East Maine. The small town dinners and coffee shops all had a container to make contributions to your family. My family hand picked blueberries and sold them to contribute to your family’s very sad time.
I know you were in the court house behind the bank and was informed the bank alarm had been activated which had been a false alarm in the past. As you walked around the building and approached the entrance both robbery suspects exited the bank with guns drawn and shot you twice in the chest. This was an extremely sad day for the State of Maine and the law enforcement profession. Your death had a profound effect on me and is the reason I became an officer. Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. T. Gordon/ Ret
Newington NH.

Sgt. Thom Gordon
Newington Police Department

April 16, 2007

RIP. You are missed by many.

Ofc. Scott Flowers
US Dept of Defense Police

January 25, 2006

Tr. Black,
You still live in memory and in the history of the State Police. Your sacrifice was not in vain and we appreciate you standing the thin blue line.
"In Valor there is Hope"

Sgt. Mike Edes
Maine State Police

January 19, 2004

Trooper Black, I first learned of you when my brother became a Maine Trooper and saw your picture as a boy. Thank you for you service to the people of the State of Maine and the United States. You are not forgotten!

Officer Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department, Ca.

November 18, 2003

Tpr. Black made the ultimate sacrifice. His bravery should never be forgotten. God Bless him and his family.

Patrolman Eric H. Small
Berwick, Maine Police Department

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