Clarence Oscar Brickey

Clarence was born on July 5, 1939, in Welch, West Virginia, to Clarence O. Brickey and Mary E. Phillipi Brickey. He attended Beaver High School in Bluefield, WV, from 1955 until 1957. In 1963, he graduated from the Maryland State Police (MSP) Academy. Clarence received his Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement in 1976 from the University of Maryland. He went on to receive his Master of Public Administration in 1982 from the University of Baltimore. In 1984, Clarence completed his graduate studies in Business Management at Frostburg State University in Maryland.On July 1, 1963, Clarence married Wille Sue Woods, an extraordinary lady. Willie Sue taught math and counseling in schools and was an indoor/outdoor person with tremendous energies. Willie Sue and Clarence were blessed with three children: Willie June Brickey – research professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Clarence (Larry) Brickey – President of a highway construction company in Greensboro, NC; and Mary E. Moores – artist/pottery maker in Pennsylvania. On June 4, 2008, Willie Sue passed away from a rare blood illness. An enthusiastic believer in education, Clarence was a certified instructor with the Maryland Police Training Commission for over twenty years. During this time, he lectured to over 26,000 law enforcement and private personnel in the U.S., Canada, and Eastern Europe. Attendees of his lectures covering criminal and law enforcement, with the development of new laws, included trainees from federal, state, and other government agencies (including the FBI). During his career, Clarence attended more than 80 schools and 50 separate seminars to improve his investigative skills.A life of service…Following his graduation from the Maryland State Police Academy in July 1963, Clarence entered the U.S. Army. During his time in the military, he moved through five (5) bases, ending at a classified base in Texas, where he held top-secret clearance. He was the recipient of several commendations during his military service, including the Platoon Leader’s Award for an excellent Non-Commission Officer and rifle marksmanship excellence. Back from the Army, Clarence and his family returned to Maryland, where he re-entered the MSP. During this time, he performed traffic and criminal assignments around the District of Columbia. Clarence investigated serious crimes such as murder, rape, and armed robbery while also giving many lectures on traffic safety. Clarence served as a supervisor of Troopers in this same area. Clarence was promoted by MSP to supervisor of a squad in barrack functions. He, along with another trooper, started working undercover in the Washington D.C. area on vehicle theft rings, related crimes, salvage, and abandoned vehicles stolen from roadways. During this period, Clarence served as Vice President of the Western Maryland Trooper’s Association. He worked to cultivate funds, establish scholarship programs, and interview students from teaching, nursing, and law enforcement schools. Clarence also gave impetus to Trooper’s Camp for students ages 12 to 14.Following another promotion, Clarence transferred to the MSP Headquarters Division and became Commander of the Statewide Vehicle Theft Unit, investigating fraud and auction cases throughout MD and PA in undercover operations. In 1975, Clarence founded and began coordinating Delmarva Auto Theft Investigators, MidAtlantic. This association of law enforcement and private entities was created to exchange vehicle theft intelligence and cooperate on investigative cases. He continued working with Delmarva for 19 years. Also that year, Clarence, along with a friend, co-founded the Southeast Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), comprised of members from 13 states in the Southeast. Having served as President from 1975 to 1976 of the international parent association, Clarence served as President of the SE Chapter from 1981 to 1982, as Secretary for 15 years starting in 1985, and as a regional lecturer and trainer. The SE chapter grew to nearly 1000 members from the southeastern U.S. During this time, Clarence developed and aided in developing Maryland regional and Federal legislation addressing vehicle theft crime issues, including testifying for this legislation before the MD General Assembly committees, U.S. Congress, and federal regulatory agencies. In October 1978, he represented IAATI at the first U.S. National Auto Theft Workshop in New York. He went on to represent the IAATI/law enforcement in the Law Enforcement Act of 1984 on issues from the 1978 Workshop. He responded to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on marking major component parts on light trucks, SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles), and MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles). Clarence testified before the U.S. Department of Transportation, making Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) stampings permanent on parts, not just for labeling purposes. For eight (8) years, Clarence worked with the Society of Automotive Engineers and Paul Gilliland, President of NATB (now NCIC), on vehicle security, developing a stolen vehicle export program at Maryland’s ports. In 1979, the National Automobile Theft Bureau selected him to serve on the Vehicle Components Parts Marking Committee. Later in 1981, he developed the anti-theft vehicle export program for Baltimore ports.From 1981 to 1985, Clarence was an MSP representative on the Northeastern International Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Task Force involving the U.S. and Canada, where he served as Co-Chairman of the Intelligence Committee. During this time, he developed and implemented the Maryland Vehicle Theft Coordinating Committee for law enforcement agencies.From 1991 to 1992, Clarence was a consultant to the Governor’s Public Safety Committee on vehicle theft issues. In October 1992, he represented IAATI and the law enforcement community with the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Committee for the passage of the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992. He appeared before congressional committees, provided news articles, and wrote over 500 letters of understanding to congressional members to support the act. He also appeared on television to discuss carjackings and thefts. In 1993, Clarence was appointed by Maryland’s governor to the Maryland Governor’s Executive Advisory Council, Vehicle Theft and Related Crimes Commission. He chaired the Law Enforcement Committee, which evaluated and proposed laws and initiated legislation. Their purpose was to develop and testify on the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council and drive changes to the vehicle and criminal laws. The proposed Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Act he helped develop was later enacted into law by the General Assembly. During the years from 1992 to 1993, Clarence worked to develop and implement an FBI Violent Vehicle Theft Crimes Task Force (Carjacking) in Montgomery and Prince George counties. He designed, implemented, and managed the Maryland State Police Vehicle Theft Task Force, a statewide investigative entity comprised of five (5) law enforcement agencies. He wrote national law enforcement responses to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for marking major components on multi-purpose and light-duty trucks and vehicles. During this period, Clarence was also a founder and coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Vehicle Intelligence Network to coordinate intelligence in a four-state region. He was appointed to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety AD-HOC Task Force and tasked with overseeing the evaluation of manufacturers and the federal government's failures to implement vehicle theft regulations/laws.From 1993 to 1994, Clarence was appointed by U.S. Attorney Janet Reno to represent the U.S. Department of Justice on the National Motor Vehicle Titling, Registration and Salvage Advisory Committee. This group was tasked to study 50 state laws and vehicle theft-related issues and make recommendations to President Clinton, U.S. Congress, and each Governor for federal legislation. He chaired the sub-committee on anti-theft inspection questions, on salvage vehicles and helped write national guidelines for uniform inspection processes of certain vehicles and training/selection of inspection personnel. This committee spurred the development of national uniform titling/registration of vehicles.Furthermore, during the time from 1993 to 1995, Clarence served as chair of the Legislative Committee for IAATI, providing excellent parliamentarian leadership for developing, encouraging, and testifying on federal vehicle theft legislation. He was the training coordinator of three countries for IAATI during this time and chair of the International Uniform Training Standards Committee, developing basic, advanced, and specialized courses for IAATI members.Clarence served with the FBI, developing a vehicle theft training curriculum for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States. He lectured in Eastern Europe for the FBI on basic vehicle theft subjects to major law enforcement agencies. Later, also with the FBI, Clarence became a U.S. Special Deputy Marshall.During his years of distinguished service, Clarence has been recognized for his vehicle theft, crime suppression, and legislation activities by many groups and individuals:Ray Dreher Award in 1994 from IAATI (highest international award)MSP Superintendent Commendation for investigationBaltimore Sun 25th Anniversary Police Officer of the Year – for investigative achievementsInternational Association Chiefs of Police National Automobile AwardTwo (2) FBI Directors’ Commendations (Louis French and William Webster) – for superb work, expertise, and outstanding service to citizenry and profession.Commendations from Maryland Governors for major public safety and criminal justice issues, including Governors from Alabama and TennesseeCommendation from the U.S. Department of Justice for the National Vehicle Advisory CommitteeRecognition by Delmarva for dedication and devotion to law enforcement and private investigators.Recognition by President George H. W. Bush – President’s Volunteer Service Award by President’s Council on Service Civic Participation for over 4,000 hours of service to the community and county with distinction.Outstanding Employee Award from the Department of Social Service for exceptional Achievement and hard workChief of Police award for exceptional service in theft prevention, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution.After a long and decorated career, Clarence retired from law enforcement in 1994, but he did not retire from service. Clarence remained connected to his community by working with Habitat for Humanity, building houses throughout the southeast from VA to FL. He was named to the Executive Board in southwest Virginia and continued to dedicate his life to rebuilding homes damaged by floods, tornados, and hurricanes throughout the area. He was a member of Hunters for Hungry, an organization that works with local soup kitchens to feed individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking (making turkey calls), growing a garden, and helping his community. He served as construction administrator for large church buildings, conference centers, and education structures and worked in community outreach programs to improve society, primarily in the Southeast. A man of faith, he attended a community church, became the church board chairperson and financial examiner, and served as Chaplain for FOP/law enforcement in the New River Valley (VA). In 2010, Clarence found love again. He married Erika M. Praemassing from Salem, Virginia, in 2014. They enjoyed gardening, traveling, and sharing memorable times at their homes in Florida and Rocky Mount, Virginia. Clarence O. Brickey, Jr., at the age of 84, passed away on July 1, 2024, in Roanoke, VA, surrounded by his loved ones.Conner Bowman Funeral Home will conduct services from Rocky Mount United Methodist Church at 10:00 am on July 6, 2024. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9 am. Internment will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Bluefield, WV, at 2:00 pm.In place of flowers, please donate to Habitat for Humanity (https://habitat-roanoke.org/) or Rocky Mount United Methodist Church.