Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

June 26, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Claggett.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2019

Today marks the 40th anniversary since we lost you. Although you are gone, you will NEVER be forgotten.

Sergeant Andrew J. Mutchlet
USSS/UD

June 26, 2018

Rusty,
I placed a flag on your grave today in honor of your dedicated service and sacrifice. You are forever in the hearts and minds of a greatful Nation.

Andrew J Mutchler
U.S. Secret Service/UD

May 29, 2017

thank you officer claggett for your service, you will never be forgotten. rest in peace.

john kaminski
citizen

March 8, 2017

Rusty; You were and still are one the best friends I ever had it was an honor to know you and your family I think of you often and remember most your great sense of humor and your especially your friendship..rest in peace. we will see each other again.. your friend always. Mike

Cpl. Michael Hunter
P.G.Co. Police (Retired)

January 31, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

March 14, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 26, 2015

i remember it as though it was yesterday,God bless you and all of the family.

david sheffield
cousin

November 14, 2014

Well, it is another year.
Another year that you have been gone.
A total of 36 years now.
And the feeling is exactly the same as it was on June 26 of 1978.
I miss your smile more right now than I did then, though.
But the hole that opened up in my heart on that morning has never sealed. Nor will it.
I keep it in my heart that we will see each other again soon.
And we will laugh.
Because none of this pain will matter then.

You are still and will forever be my Hero....
And I know that I share that thinking with many others.

You are loved....eternally.

Pamela

Friend

June 25, 2014

Brian, Rusty
Your memory is still with us. I will never forget that alfull night. Rest In Peace Brothers, Rest In Peace.
Prode to have served with you.

Retired
PGPD

May 12, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 30, 2012

Rusty, today 34 years later you are still missed. All the good times we shared are still remembered and bring a smile to my face. Your visits to my Mom (Aunt Ginny) when you would stop by met so much to her.
I know you looked down and smiled every time your Mom and Dad got to spend time with your boys.
You were a good and kind man. I miss you.

Fran Kidwell Civilian
Cousin

September 17, 2012

Rusty:

In 1973 - 74 I was a records clerk in Seat Pleasant and worked with Carolyn. You were a volunteer fireman, a police officer and had a fast pinto. Brian was your constant buddy. I recall when Carolyn started working in records and how smitten she was. Your courtship led to a beautiful wedding. Such a lovely couple. In mid 1974 I began my law enforcement career and relocated. I remember the shock that overcame me upon learning of your and Brian's deaths. I could not imagine the loss that Carolyn, your sons and your family felt then and even today. While I only knew you for a short time you impressed me as a genuinely great and helpful person, who devoted his life to his community and to his family. You are thought of often and remembered well. My sincerest regards to your family.

Frank Cioffi, Retired ResAgent in Charge
SSA Office of Investigations

June 25, 2012

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

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

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