Merle E. Clutts
On the morning of October 22, 1983, Officer Merle E. Clutts was assigned to the Control Unit (H unit), when he was attacked (at about 10:30 a.m.) by inmate Thomas Silverstein. Although Silverstein was handcuffed as he was escorted from the shower back to his cell, he broke away from his escort and ran to the front of another inmate's cell. This inmate freed Silverstein from his restraints and gave him a knife. Silverstein attacked Officer Clutts, who was fatally wounded. Silverstein then surrendered to other staff. Inmate Silverstein received a life sentence for murdering Officer Clutts.
Of interest, inmate Silverstein was incarcerated at USP Atlanta when the Cuban Riot broke out in November 1987. Although initially freed by Cuban participants, he was later put in restraints and led to the front of the institution, where he was turned over to authorities by his fellow inmates. Inmate Silverstein is currently incarcerated under maximum security.
Merle E. Clutts is listed in the National Law Enforcement Memorial on Panel 32, W-5. Merle, you will never be forgotten.