Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard John Clay and Guard Allison Ephkriams Allison were shot and killed during an escape attempt by inmates at the Missouri State Penitentiary. The inmates had been smuggled four revolvers, ammunition, and explosives into the Missouri State Penitentiary. After the murders, the inmates were apprehended by citizens in front of the prison. Three of the inmates were convicted of murder and hanged on June 27th, 1907. One of the three who was hanged was a member of the Morrison-Rosenau Gang, which was responsible for the murders of Detective Thomas Dwyer, Detective James McCluskey, and Detective John Shea, of the St. Louis Police Department, on October 21st, 1904.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-8EDB6867- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Prison Guard Clay served with the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Missouri. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Prison Guard Clay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Prison Guard John A. Clay 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Missouri Department of Corrections, 9 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John A. Clay's cause is highlighted.
How John A. Clay Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1907
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John A. Clay is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John A. Clay was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Missouri Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
