what could make the engine immediately shut down when it was put in reverse

What is your question?

it was like a clunk and it seized up when it was put in gear. when it was put back in park it started fine and ran fine but a second attempt to put it in gear had the same result which was a hard clunk and an immediate shut down.

How long has your 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 had this problem?

just happened