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Incident
City Marshal Clift, who also served as a United States Marshal, was shot and killed while escorting a prisoner back to Chetopa. As the suspect attempted to flee to Missouri he was stopped by Marshal Clift. The man said he would return to Chetopa but instead pulled a revolver and shot Marshal Clift. The suspect was captured and as he was being brought back for trial a mob of angry citizens took him off of a train and lynched him from a bridge. City Marshal Clift was survived by his wife and four children. He was a Union Civil War Veteran.
Survivors
City Marshal Clift was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
City Marshal Clift served with the Chetopa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chetopa community, and 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
Robert H. Clift served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chetopa Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert 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 1878, 2 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1878, 51 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1878, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 35. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Robert was 35. 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.
Robert was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 11% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Chetopa Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% 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
Chetopa Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Military Service
Robert H. Clift served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert H. Clift’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 56-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Chetopa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
