DOVER-FOXCROFT – With his proud family watching, Dale “Chip” Clukey Jr. of Dover-Foxcroft on Monday was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s National Law Enforcement Distinguished Service Award and Citation in recognition of his meritorious service.

The recognition was for an incident that occurred several years ago while Clukey was working for the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department. Clukey was seriously injured when an inebriated driver forcefully kicked the 6-foot-3-inch officer in the knee. Since the attack, Clukey has had 22 operations, including experimental cartilage-cell transplantation, to repair the knee.

“I really wasn’t expecting this,” a surprised Clukey said Monday of the award and citation. “I appreciate it.”

Making the presentation to Clukey during a short ceremony at the Piscataquis County Superior Courtroom was Neal Williams, national service officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the United States.

Among those attending were Clukey’s parents, Dale Clukey, chief deputy of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, and Sandra Clukey; his wife, Dora; and his children, Kayla, 14, and D.J., 12.

Also on hand were Piscataquis County Sheriff John Goggin and his deputies; Doug Harmon, Clukey’s supervisor at U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Jackman Border Station; and representatives of the Military of the Purple Heart, Joshua Chamberlain Chapter 1865.

Although the injury ended Clukey’s career with the Sheriff’s Department, a new career opened with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Like my dad says, ‘God doesn’t close one door without opening another,'” he said.

The 1993 assault occurred as Clukey was leaning to assist the motorist into the back seat of his cruiser. “I heard a big snap like a tree limb breaking and the next thing I knew I was on the ground,” Clukey recalled, after the incident. A local physician told him that it was one of the worst injuries one could receive to the knee.

The injury resulted in his discharge from a career as a police officer and the loss of his part-time job with the Sheriff’s Department.

Clukey also was recognized in 1997 as the recipient of the Maine State Sheriff Association’s Presidential Valor Award.