Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Clarence Roseland was shot and killed when he interrupted a kidnapping-robbery in progress. Patrolman Roseland was coming out of a store when he noticed a suspicious man exiting a closed store. As Patrolman Roseland met up with suspect at the front door of the closed store he was ambushed and his pistol was taken by the suspect. Patrolman Roseland was then ordered to walk out of the store by the suspect. The kidnapping victim was able to escape in the meantime and call for help, but when help arrived they found Patrolman Roseland had been shot and killed in a struggle with the suspect. The suspect was later captured after a manhunt, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. His sentence was later reduced to 60 years. On October 11, 1956, he died of injuries he suffered in a 42-foot jump from a cell house tier to the concrete floor below.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-8A622595- Stewardship
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Roseland served with the Morris Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Morris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roseland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Clarence R. Roseland 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 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Morris Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clarence R. Roseland's cause is highlighted.
How Clarence R. Roseland Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clarence R. Roseland is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clarence R. Roseland was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Morris Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
