PGPD Remembers Fallen Hero-Officer Albert M. Claggett, IV

Officer Albert M. Claggett, IV

Let us pause to remember our Fallen Hero, Officer Albert M. Claggett, IV, lost this day in 1978 while processing a prisoner in Adam Sector.

Ofc. Claggett was born on March 1, 1952, in Prince George's County, Maryland. He was raised in New Carrollton and graduated from Parkdale High School. Ofc. Claggett joined the Prince George's County Police Department as a cadet on June 19, 1972. He entered the Police Academy shortly thereafter, following in the footsteps of his father, retired Prince George's County Police Lieutenant Albert M. Claggett, III. Upon completion of his Academy training on December 3, 1972, the junior Claggett was assigned to the Seat Pleasant Station. He was subsequently transferred to the Hyattsville Station in July of 1975.

At approximately 0130 hours on the morning of June 26, 1978, Ofc. Claggett and Ofc. James B. Swart initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle on Annapolis Rd. at Kenilworth Ave. Bladensburg, Maryland. The vehicle matched the suspect description in the theft of laundry room coin boxes from the Eastpines Apartment Complex. The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested and transported to the Hyattsville Station at 5012 Rhode Island Avenue. At 0240 hours, as Ofc. Claggett was processing one of the offenders, he suddenly ripped the officer's service weapon from its holster and opened fire, striking Ofc. Claggett in the chest. Ofc. Claggett was rushed to Prince George's Hospital Center where he succumbed to his injuries during surgery at 0412 hours.


Ofc. Claggett served the Prince George's County Police Department for six years and was the tenth member of this Agency to make the Ultimate Sacrifice. He was the 17th law enforcement officer to give his life in service to this Profession within Prince George's County, Maryland.



At the time of his death, Officer Albert M. Claggett, IV was 26 years old and survived by his wife and two sons.