Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Maryland Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Sergeant Clifton Rife was shot and killed during a robbery attempt at the 5400 block of Livingston Terrace in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Sergeant Rife was off duty when he was approached by a suspect who brandished a handgun and attempted to rob him. Sergeant Rife identified himself and drew his service weapon. Shots were exchanged, and both men were mortally wounded.
Sergeant Rife was able to call for help and was flown to a local hospital where he later died.
Sergeant Rife was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 13 years assigned to the Prostitution Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-16257B40- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Sergeant Rife gave the Metropolitan Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Thank you 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
Clifton Rife, II served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Clifton Rife, II is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifton Rife, II's cause is highlighted.
How Clifton Rife, II Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifton Rife, II is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifton Rife, II was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
