Roll of Honor
Robert McClain
Incident
Location: West Virginia Incident Date: Thursday, August 15, 1929 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Arrested
Railroad Detective Bob McClain succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier near Salt Rock, West Virginia, when he attempted to arrest two men who were riding a freight train.
He had grabbed onto one of the subjects when the other one suddenly pulled out a handgun and opened fire. The first shot struck Detective McClain's hand, preventing him from drawing his gun. The man then shot him three more times in the torso.
Detective McClain was taken the C&O Railroad Hospital where he died at approximately 2:00 am on August 18th, 1929.
Two brothers were arrested in Catlettsburg the night before his death and held in connection with his shooting. On December 21, 1929, one was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
Detective McClain was survived by his wife, stepson, parents, and sister.
Survivors
Detective McClain was survived by his wife, stepson, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-9F9E1F05- 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.
Railroad Detective McClain served with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective McClain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Robert McClain 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chesapeake and Ohio 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. Robert McClain's cause is highlighted.
How Robert McClain Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert McClain is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert McClain was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
