On Friday, November 12, 1965, Correctional Officer Clifford Grogan Sr. was stabbed to death after coming to the aid of a fellow officer who was being attacked  at SCI-Pittsburgh.

He was just finishing up his shift when he observed the attack at approximately 3:15 pm. When he attempted to pull the inmate off of the other guard he slipped and went down on one knee. The inmate then started attacking and stabbing him with a 10-inch shank, striking him in the heart. The other guard suffered serious injuries but recovered.

Despite being stabbed, Officer Grogan continued to struggle with the suspect and was able to subdue him. Officer Grogan passed out from a loss of blood and succumbed to the stab wounds.

Officer Grogan was a U.S Navy veteran of WWII and had served with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for seven years. He is survived by his expectant wife, and three children.

Officer Grogan’s son, Cliff Grogan Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps. Officer Grogan Jr was a correctional officer for SCI Pittsburgh for 30 years, the same prison his father was killed at. He was an active volunteer for the CPO Foundation for 15 years, served in the United States Navy, drove school busses for North Hills School District and most notable, his time as Santa Claus for 20 years.

Officer Grogan was family to CPOF and friends to countless others, in and out of the department. He had battled cancer for the past 15-months. He spent a beautiful Christmas with his family and passed during a nap in his recliner. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Please join us in keeping his family, friends, coworkers, and community in your thoughts and prayers.