Our first Spotlight for 2003 shines on one of our most popular members, Brother Claude André Pierre. In police jargon we could easily add AKA or also affectionally known to many of us as “Dirty Harry”.

Claude was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 29, 1946. He joins a long list of our members who graduated from Boys High School in Brooklyn. He later attended and graduated from New York City Technical College. Claude served in the United States Marines from 1965 to 1968, serving the majority of his time in Okinawa, Puerto Rico and California. He joined the Transit Police Department in March 1969 and during his 28 year career, served in many assignments and commands but the bulk of his time was spent in District 3. He also served in City Wide Anti Crime, Communications Unit and after the merge, in Manhattan North Operations. He retired at the rank of Police Officer, Special Assignment in 1997. Many have asked how Claude, while in District 3 many years ago, got the nickname “Dirty Harry”. Claude said that the simple answer is that he was always fascinated by the .44 Magnum handgun and his friends began calling him Dirty Harry, after the Clint Eastwood character who popularized that particular gun. When asked about his accomplishments on the job and of what he was most proud, Claude stated that he was most proud of his tenure in the Operations/Communications Unit. It was there that he had the opportunity to help in fellow officers who were in need. Whether sending officers on 10-13’s to help another officer in distress, dispatching an ambulance to an aided case, he felt rewarded and experienced a sense of accomplishment. And most rewarding was a fellow officer calling after the emergency and saying “Thank You”. Claude was a member of the Cerbereans, Guardians and Holy Name Society while on the job and is now a member and supporter of the RGFA. Claude’s interests include cooking (with his favorite dishes being chicken gizzards and ribs), music, dancing and being a DJ. Claude is also an avid roller skater and honed his skating skills back in District 3, where is skated the platforms while on duty and in uniform!

Claude is divorced and has one son and one daughter. He divides his time between his home in the Bronx and his home in the Poconos and lives with his girlfriend DeLois. He can be reached by email at PIERRELIVE@aol.com.