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Incident
Officer Gene Clifton died as a result of a gunshot wound received on October 1, 1971. Officer Clifton was fatally wounded during a joint operation with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the Palo Alto Police Department. A team of officers were attempting to execute a search warrant at a residence. The officers were already inside the residence when a suspect fired shots at the officers and ran into a bedroom. Officer Clifton was standing outside the bedroom when the suspect continued shooting, and a bullet went through the wall and struck him in the abdomen. Another Palo Alto officer shot and seriously wounded the suspect. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as undetermined, so the suspect, 36, was not charged with murder. On April 27, 1972, he was convicted of four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, a felon in possession of a firearm, and sentenced to 6 to 15 years. Officer Clifton had served with the Palo Alto Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Clifton gave the Palo Alto Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palo Alto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Clifton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Palo Alto Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Gene is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gene is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gene is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 22 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gene was 27. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Gene had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gene was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gene had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gene was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gene had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Palo Alto Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Palo Alto Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Gene among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Palo Alto Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
