Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Not available
Customs Inspector Alden McLaughlin was shot and killed in Live Oak County, Texas, by a group of smugglers who were attempting to keep him from testifying against them at an upcoming trial.
He had left San Antonio on August 20th, 1871, to return to Corpus Christi. His decomposing body was found by a rancher between Rockey and Oakville.
He had previously seized 200 mules from a group of smugglers and it is believed he was murdered in retaliation.
Inspector McLaughlin was survived by his wife. He was a Civil War Veteran who served with the 1st Texas Calvary, Company F.
Survivors
Inspector McLaughlin was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-B02C00D3- Stewardship
- 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.
Customs Inspector McLaughlin served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Alden McLaughlin served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Customs Inspector Alden McLaughlin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alden McLaughlin's cause is highlighted.
How Alden McLaughlin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alden McLaughlin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alden McLaughlin was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
Alden McLaughlin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Alden McLaughlin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
