[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 20, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E980-E981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATIONS TO THOMAS M. CLIFTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 1997

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Thomas M. 
Clifton, chief of the Totowa, NJ, Police Department on his retirement 
after nearly four decades of dedicated and distinguished public 
service. Chief Clifton will be honored by his friends and colleagues at 
a retirement dinner tomorrow night. There will be a great outpouring of 
deepest appreciation for his years of service. He has been a leading 
figure in keeping Totowa a safe community--the sort of place where you 
can raise a family, own a business, and build friendships that last a 
lifetime.
  Born in New York City, Chief Clifton grew up in Paterson, where he 
graduated from the Paterson Technical and Vocational High School. Chief 
Clifton joined the U.S. Navy Reserve for 2\1/2\ years at age 17, 
followed by a 4-year, regular-duty enlistment in the Air Force. He 
attained the rank of staff sergeant before his honorable discharge in 
1955.
  Returning to civilian life, Chief Clifton began his career in law 
enforcement in 1956 when he became a part-time police marshal with the 
Totowa Police Department. He was appointed as a regular patrolman in 
1957, under the command of the late Chief James C. Pellington.
  Chief Clifton made detective in 1968, and a series of rapid 
promotions followed. He became a sergeant in less than a year and was 
named detective bureau commander, with the rank of lieutenant, in 1971. 
He was promoted to detective captain in 1977, and 3 years later became 
deputy chief. He served in that post for a decade before becoming chief 
of police in March 1990.
  While Chief Clifton spent the later years of his career in police 
management, he was active in the police union during his earlier days. 
He joined the Policemen's Benevolent Association in 1958, and served 
from 1963 to 1969, as the New Jersey State delegate for Local 80, which 
included the police departments of Totowa, West Paterson, Little Falls, 
Pequannock, and the Passaic County Park Police.
  Married to the former Dorothy V. Darby, Chief Clifton and Mrs. 
Clifton are the proud parents of six children and nine grandchildren.
  We place our full trust in police officers like Chief Clifton to 
protect our lives, families, children, neighbors, and property on a 
daily basis. The citizens of Totowa are extremely grateful for the 
dedication and professionalism that have been the hallmarks of Chief 
Clifton. His strong leadership has ensured that members of the Totowa 
Police Department have been among the finest in the communities that 
make up the Fifth Congressional District.

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