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Claude H. McDonald
Incident
Location: Oklahoma Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Chief of Detective Claude McDonald was shot and killed while checking boxcars in the Rock Island Railroad yards in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
He and another detective had gone to the yards to investigate a recent series of thefts from the cars.
The two detective split up as they checked the boxcars. Chief McDonald had looked into one of the boxcars and continued on. Moments later a man who was hiding inside jumped out. Chief McDonald was mortally wounded in the ensuing exchange of gunfire.
The suspect fled the scene but was located several days later. He was shot and mortally wounded while resisting arrest but confessed to murdering Chief McDonald before dying.
Chief McDonald was a U.S. military veteran had served with the Rock Island Railroad Police for nine years. He had previously served as a police officer for El Reno, Oklahoma, and as a deputy for the Grady County Sheriff's Office, as well as serving as a Canadain County Deputy Sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 3-month-old child, parents, and 10 siblings, and is buried in El Reno Cemetery, El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Detectives McDonald gave the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Claude H. McDonald served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has lost 13 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Claude is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Claude is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Claude is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 1 officer at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 3.
In 1911, 9 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Claude was 30. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 42. Claude had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Claude was 30. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Claude had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claude was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Claude had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Claude was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Claude had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 23.1% of these deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 30.8%.
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 13 deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Claude among them.
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Andrew Creason Sep 19, 1903
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Claude H. McDonald Mar 26, 1911
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Hugo P. A. Alvine
Dec 9, 1915
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Charles F. Artz
Jun 27, 1920
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Will C. Reed
Jul 4, 1920
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William E. Waers Jan 11, 1922
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Alfred Allen Gifford
Jun 27, 1922
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Thomas P. Griffin Nov 15, 1923
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Ralph Robinson Mar 31, 1926
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Archibald D. Brandon
Apr 19, 1931
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Rube Tom Pollock
Mar 8, 1934
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Edwin C. Shane Apr 17, 1934
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John W. Whitted Apr 17, 1934
Where
Military Service
Claude H. McDonald served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Claude H. McDonald’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
