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William Ray Clements
Incident
Private William Clements and Private Robert Yeszerski, of the Prince George's County Police Department, were shot and killed while supervising the towing of a vehicle from an apartment complex parking lot on Greig Court in Seat Pleasant. The owner of the vehicle had threatened Private Clements two days earlier when he was warned that the vehicle would be towed. As the tow truck driver was preparing to leave with the vehicle, the owner approached the officers, pulled out a .38 caliber handgun, and shot both several times. The suspect was shot and wounded by another Seat Pleasant police officer arriving on the scene. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life April 17, 1969. Private Clements was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Seat Pleasant Police Department for four years. He had previously served with the Mt. Rainer Police Department and Brentwood Police Department. He is survived by his wife and child and is buried in Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Prince George's County, Maryland.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child and is buried in Ft.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Private Clements gave the Seat Pleasant Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seat Pleasant community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Ray Clements served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Seat Pleasant Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 5 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1968, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 24. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 24. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Seat Pleasant Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
William Ray Clements served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Ray Clements’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Seat Pleasant Police Department are honored on badge.nw.