Happy Heavenly Birthday Mama Rose Elaine Clement and Walter Robert Clement (With a Posthumous Resolution from the Detroit Police Department)

On this September 19th, 2023,  we honor the heavenly birthday of my mom Rose Elaine Clement and, the passing of Walter Robert Clement on September 19th, 2022. Walter was an awesome brother that will be missed by all of his loved ones. His widow Saundra Eddie took great care of him in his final days battling the uncurbable Lou Gehrig's Disease commonly known as ALS. Walter left a a lasting impact on his community as a teacher, statesman and as an employee of the Detroit Police Department.  

Walter pushed me to greatness from grade school to high school and, was very hard on me for being a marijuana activist. Some days I could have applied for a bus mechanic job after he got through with me. There were other times that he wanted to arrest me for it and, I am glad that he did not. He was very stunned that he came down with ALS and called out to his brothers for help. 

Watching him go through the pain of being an active person to being totally immobile as the disease consumed his body was painful to watch. As the disease intensified, he used Cannabis products to combat the side effects of  ALS until he could take his last breath. The Clement family appreciates all the cards and condolences from everyone, especially the Detroit Police Department and the Eight Mile neighborhood family that embraced him.

DETROIT POLICE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION HONORING

RETIRED SERGEANT WALTER ROBERT CLEMENT

POSTHUMOUSLY

WHEREAS, Walter R. Clement was a graduate of Mumford High School. He was a true athlete from the neighborhood who ran track and swam. After attending Ferris State University on a track scholarship, Walter returned to Detroit with a commitment to public service. He was appointed to the Detroit Police Department on October 24, 1977. Upon graduating from the Metropolitan Police Academy, Officer Clement began his career at the Second Precinct; and    

WHEREAS, Officer Clement dutifully served the Second Precinct, Third Precinct, Fourteenth Precinct, Special Response Team, Detroit Metropolitan Academy, Thirteenth Precinct, First Precinct, and Sex Crimes Unit. After displaying tremendous knowledge and leadership skills, Officer Clement was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on March 20, 1998. His assignments included the Eleventh Precinct, Eighth Precinct, and Management Services Bureau. Sergeant Clement served the Detroit Police Department for 35 years, before moving to New Mexico. On Monday, September 19, 2022, Retired Sergeant Walter Robert Clement passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS; and     

WHEREAS, During his law enforcement career, Retired Sergeant Clement was the deserving recipient of many recognitions, including Department Citation, Wound Award, two Perfect Attendance Awards, four Chief’s Merits Awards, All Star Baseball Award, Super Bowl XL Award, Rosa Parks Funeral Award, and numerous letters of commendation from citizens and superiors; and    

WHEREAS, His legacy of public service endures. He was a strong opponent of marijuana in the beginning. Towards the end of his life, he radically changed his view and supported decriminalization of marijuana and expungements of existing convictions for “the crime of cannabis” as fundamental to justice.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED

That the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, speaking for the citizens of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department, awards this resolution posthumously in recognition of Retired Sergeant Walter Clement for his dedicated and diligent public service. His professionalism, integrity, and standard of commitment to the City of Detroit and its citizens merit our highest regards. We salute you Retired Sergeant Walter Robert Clement for a job well done.