Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Deputy Robert Hooker was shot and killed as he and another deputy attempted to arrest two burglary suspects near Shattuck. They located the two suspects based on information from a citizen. The two men led the officers on a short foot pursuit until Chief Deputy Hooker caught them and ordered both to surrender. One of the suspects produced a .38-caliber handgun and shot Chief Deputy Hooker twice in the head and once in the chest, killing him instantly. A posse captured the suspects two hours later. One was shot and wounded seriously. Both, ages 22 and 23, were sentenced to life. One was denied parole in 1954. Chief Deputy Hooker had served with the Clinton County Sheriff's Department for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-0C2A22BE- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Hooker gave the Clinton County Sheriff's Office 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Carlyle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Hooker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy Sheriff Robert K. Hooker 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 Clinton County Sheriff's Office, 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. Robert K. Hooker's cause is highlighted.
How Robert K. Hooker Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert K. Hooker is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert K. Hooker was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clinton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
