Roll of Honor
Christopher O. McClure
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun; .32 caliber Offender: Shot and killed
Special Agent Christopher McClure was shot and killed at 9:15 pm while investigating a group of three suspicious men near the Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, rail yards.
He and another agent were on a special detail to ride a freight train from Springfield to Mt. Pulaski to try to catch a ring of freight car thieves who had been breaking into trains in the Mt. Pulaski yards. As the train approached the yards the agents saw three men huddled around a fire next to the railroad right of way. The agents jumped off the train and circled around.
The other agent remained hidden in a nearby cornfield as Agent McClure called out to the suspects. The suspect approached him and as he squatted down, Agent McClure shined his light on the suspect and asked what was in his hand. The man immediately opened fire with a .32-caliber handgun, striking Agent McClure in the heart. Both agents returned fire, striking the suspect five times. Agent McClure succumbed to his wound at the scene. The suspect died the next day.
Agent McClure had served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department for only one month, but had been employed with the railroad for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-9A96BD9D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Christopher. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent McClure served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent McClure.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Christopher O. McClure 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 Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, 10 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher O. McClure's cause is highlighted.
How Christopher O. McClure Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher O. McClure is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher O. McClure was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
