Chief
George Thomas McClamma
1949 - 1957
George Thomas McClamma was born in Madison County, Florida
on November 22, 1910. He
moved to Clearwater in 1919 and with the exception of his
time spent in the military, he was a continuous resident since
then. George McClamma
joined the Clearwater Police Department on January 1, 1937.
On July 1, 1941, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
His service with the department was interrupted when
he joined the U.S. Navy on October 8, 1942.
Upon completion of his military service on January
6, 1946, he returned to the department as a Sergeant. Exactly one year later, he was promoted to
Captain.
On January 1, 1949, he was promoted to Chief of Police when
he succeeded Chief J. J. Elliott who had resigned to become
a special investigator for Governor Fuller Warren.
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When
Chief McClamma assumed command of the police department, there were
thirty officers serving a population of 23,000 residents.
During his tenure as Chief, he stressed traffic safety and
was instrumental in the rapid growth of the department.
He was the first Clearwater Chief to employ a secretary and
the first Policeman’s Ball was held while he was Chief in 1949.
He was responsible for designing the first shoulder patch
worn by the uniformed officers of Clearwater. Chief McClamma and the department were featured
in the November 1949 issue of “Florida Peace Officer.” That issue stated, “Chief McClamma maintains
on a systematic basis one of the most complete records systems that
may be found anywhere in the nation.”
Chief McClamma was the first member of the Clearwater Police Department
to retire with a pension when he retired from active duty on January
1, 1957. Chief McClamma,
after retirement, pursued a career in real estate and was a Realtor
Associate with George H. Harbison, Inc., for many years.
Chief McClamma passed away on June 3, 1984 at the age of 73.
He was survived by his wife, Mae Ethel, his brothers, sisters,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Officers of the Clearwater
Police Department served as pallbearers.
A “Guard of Honor” accompanied Chief McClamma to his final
resting place at Clearwater Cemetery.
If you have additional information on Chief McClamma's life and
career, we would like to hear from you. Contact us at police@myclearwater.com.
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