An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
As of May 7, 2025, all visitors 18 years and older must be REAL ID compliant to visit the Museum.
Gene A. Clifton
Police Officer
November 28, 1943 - November 19, 1971
Police Officer Gene A. Clifton died on November 19, 1971, as a result of injuries received on October 1 during a joint operation with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Officer Clifton was fatally wounded when a team of officers attempted to serve a search warrant and a suspect fired a handgun through a door, striking Clifton in the abdomen. He was 27 years of age at the time of his death.
A four-year veteran of the Palo Alto Police Department, Officer Clifton was the department's top marksman and had won numerous awards in state competitions. He was survived by his wife, Janice; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Clifton; and two sisters, Alice Sturges and Jennilee McCloskey. The Palo Alto Police Department established a scholarship fund in Officer Clifton's name.