Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Clifton,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Palo Alto. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 19, 2021

Rest In Peace Brother. You are honored and remembered today the 46th anniversary of your E.O.W. You are not forgotten. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 19, 2017

It has been so long ago yet is in my mind like yesterday. Gene and Brian were the Palo Alto Narcotic Squad. Brian was off and Gene put together a search warrant. I with three other agents from the then Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs came to Palo Alto to help.
I remember the entrance, Gene secured the people in the living room, and I went past to see this creep run into a closet in the bedroom. I remember seeing his hand holding the .45 jut out of the closet and point at me. I hit the deck while he was firing. The bullet Gene took was meant for me. It went over me, striking a wall plug, deflecting into Gene.
Indeed a tragic night but we all thought he was going to make it. After that and the last time I saw Gene was in my office in San Francisco. He was going to apply with BNDD. Shortly after that, it came as a terrible shock that he had died.
I take comfort in what Jesus says at John 5:28 which reads "Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice .. and come out......"
I look forward to seeing Gene again. He certainly has not been forgotten.

Bill Hardin - Special Agent (retired)
DEA - Formerly BNDD

December 21, 2013

Today has no personal significance for me, but I should leave this "reflection" today in remembrance, even though I never got to meet you. I am your niece. I was born in 1977. I visit this page often and would like to say thank you to everyone for their reflections, and to those who make this page possible. And, thank you, Gene, for making the world a little safer. I really wish I could have known you.

Englisa Parker
niece

May 2, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Clifton. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 2012

I guess it must have been a hidden memory as I opened your "Reflections" tonight for the first time in years and saw this was the 40th. I reflected back to when you were undercover in my card room in down town Palo Alto in the late 60's. I thought of you in the early 80's when I met Don Hale (FBI) while he was tracking Ricky Ross/Norman Meneses -contra/cocaine. I worked in auditing Golden State Sanwa Bank. A few years prior the vault teller at the main San Francisco branch had taken $250,000.00 in cash claiming a bomb had been attached to him. Long story/short - the vault teller (Jamie StMarie) was still being paid his full salary but had not been to work for years. I traced the money to New York and a group of young black men with money and a news paper headline to show where they got it. (Stan Bond) Oh well, what is one to do? Was glad Don spoke to the U.S. Senate in 1989.

Stanley Karabats
respect

November 19, 2011

I was a young boy growing up in Palo Alto when you lost your life in the line of duty. God Bless you and give your family peace.

Corporal R.R. Carvalho Badge#610
Florida Highwway Patrol (Retired)

August 9, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I hope to one day meet your family at a NORCAL COPS function.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 19, 2009

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 27, 2007

Gene:
Many years have passed since that fall evening at Palo Alto Headquarters where Mike Cook and I went for documents and we saw you there doing some work that night. You had been wounded less than a month before and yet you were doing some work that night. We didn’t even have time to chat with you but at least we must have said hello. The next day when we reported to work at our offices we were shocked to learn that you had died that morning. It did not seem possible. From what little I recall since it was many years ago we enjoy working with you and Brian.

I have never been to your resting place in St. Helena but one day I want to go there. It does seem strange writing this as if you will read it, but that is how it comes out. I can still see you in my thoughts in how you looked, dressed and walked.

I recall the time that we covered you in the Jung case all the way to Marin County. We finished the night with headaches from concentrating on not losing you. You were an excellent undercover police officer.


I am sorry that you left us so soon in life.

Deputy Moses Soto (retired Fire Capt.)
Santa Clara County S/O & Fire Department

November 9, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

G-d Bless.

November 19, 2006

This was a sad day for everyone. Gene's memory lives on in the hearts of everyone who knew him. Rest in peace.

Betty Lowe
Retired Supervisor, Records, PAPD

May 22, 2006

Gene, It only seems like yesterday and viewing this brings back both smiles and pain--remembering mostly the smiles from the good times on the drug task force. Sending my love and best wishes to your family and friends and in the spirit of brotherhood--see ya again!

Bob Hedgpeth S/O (Ret.)
Santa Clara Co. Sheriff

March 12, 2006

May you rest in God's Love and Arms as you patrol Heavens Gates God Bless You.
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan, Philadelphia, Pa

November 3, 2005

Thank you Officer Clifto...RIP

April 22, 2005