Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Monaghan succumbed to injuries sustained less than two years earlier when he was assaulted outside his home in Olive Branch due to retaliation for breaking up a fight earlier in the evening.
A group of local youths had been kicked out of a local restaurant for causing a disturbance. The group of youths, after leaving the restaurant, went to a filling station across the street when one of the youths broke a car window with three passengers, causing a fight in the parking lot that resulted in more damage being done to the vehicle. Once Deputy Sheriff Monaghan arrived at the scene, he used his gas gun to disperse the youths from the scene. Once the youths fled the scene, the second group demanded that the youths be arrested for damaging the vehicle and assaulting them. Deputy Monaghan, who was also employed as a Telephone Office Manager, had the group follow him to his home so he could telephone the Sheriff and request more deputies to assist in making arrests. While inside his house with the second group, the first group of youths appeared in front of his home, shouting and demanding to see him. When Deputy Monaghan told the group they were under arrest and more deputies were on their way, one of the youths struck Deputy Monaghan in the forehead with an iron pipe, causing a skull fracture, rendering him unconscious. A neighbor who heard the commotion rendered aid and rushed Deputy Monaghan to Saint Mary's Hospital in Cairo.
The six youths were arrested shortly after the incident by the responding deputies, whom Deputy Monaghan requested. The youth, who was the ring leader, admitted to deputies after bragging about what he had done that he had struck Deputy Monaghan and was charged with assault. The five other youths were charged with being implicated in the assault on Deputy Monaghan, including the fight and damaged vehicle at the filling station.
The ring leader pleaded guilty to assault and intention to kill and was sentenced to 1-14 years in prison at the Illinois State Penitentiary in Menard. It is unknown if any additional charges were filed related to the death of Deputy Monaghan. According to the 1940 census, the suspect was still incarcerated at the Illinois State Penitentiary in Menard. On June 24, 1956, the suspect was killed in a murder-suicide with his estranged wife in Saint Louis, Missouri.
After the incident, Deputy Monaghan remained an invalid and died due to complications of his injury at Saint Mary's Hospital in Cairo on April 27, 1936.
Deputy Sheriff Monaghan served with the Alexander County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IL-B61CD5D5- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Monaghan gave the Alexander County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cairo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Monaghan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles Clifton Monaghan is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Alexander County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Clifton Monaghan's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Clifton Monaghan Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of assault
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Clifton Monaghan is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles Clifton Monaghan was killed by blunt object; iron pipe.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alexander County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
