We regret to inform you of the passing of one of Maryland’s Finest, D/Sgt. Clarence O. Brickey, Jr., MDSP, Retired.
OBITUARY
Clarence Oscar Brickey, JR
July 5, 1939 — July 1, 2024
Clarence O. Brickey, Jr of Rocky Mount, Virginia, 84, passed away on July 1, 2024.
He was born on July 5, 1939, in Welch, West Virginia, to Clarence O. Brickey and Mary E. Brickey.
He graduated from Beaver High School in Bluefield, WV, where he met an extraordinary classmate, Willie Sue Woods, who taught math and counseling in the public schools. She shared Clarence’s love of the outdoors, and they wed on July 1, 1963. Willie Sue preceded Clarence in death on June 04, 2008.
Clarence’s prestigious career in law enforcement began in 1963 upon graduation from the Maryland State Police Academy. Believing in the value of education, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland (1976) and Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore (1982). Clarence served as a certified instructor with the Maryland Police for over 20 years. He collaborated with state, federal, and other government agencies, teaching more than 26,000 law enforcement personnel in the United States, Canada, and Eastern Europe.
A man of service known for his investigative skills, Clarence joined the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) in 1967 and became a member of the Executive Board in 1979. His extensive investigatory career included initiation into the Maryland State Police Vehicle Theft Unit, founding and coordinating the Delmarva Auto Theft Investigators, and being named co-chair of the Intelligence Committee of the Northeastern International Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Task Force for the United States and Canada. In the early 1990s, Clarence consulted with the Governor’s Public Safety Committee on vehicle theft issues and assisted the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force in Baltimore, Maryland.
After a long, decorated career, Clarence retired from law enforcement in 1994, but his commitment to service never wavered. He remained closely connected to his community by working with Habitat for Humanity, building houses throughout the southeastern U.S. He was named to the Executive Board in Southwest Virginia and dedicated his life to rebuilding homes damaged by floods, tornados, and hurricanes. A man of faith, he was an active church member, church board chairman and financial examiner, and Chaplain for FOP/law enforcement in the New River Valley of Virginia.
In 2014, Clarence found love again – marrying Erika M. Praemassing from Salem, Virginia.
Clarence is survived by his current wife, Erika P.; his children, Willie June Brickey; Clarence (Larry) Brickey (wife, Niki); and Mary E. Moores (husband Jon); and five grandchildren, whom he loved deeply.
SERVICES
Conner Bowman Funeral Home will conduct services from Rocky Mount United Methodist Church at 10 am on July 6, 2024. The family will receive friends one hour prior.
Internment will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Bluefield, WV, at 2 pm.
In place of flowers please donate to Habitat for Humanity PO Box 6627 Roanoke, Virginia 24017 https://habitat-roanoke.org
