Roll of Honor
Clyde Merrill Bristow
Incident
Customs Officer Clyde Bristow was shot and killed at a border crossing in Arizona while he and another officer checked a vehicle for illegal liquor. He and his partner had stopped the vehicle on the Tucson Road about 14-1/2 miles north of Nogales, Arizona, The 22-year-old suspect escaped into Mexico. On May 21st, 1935, he died of food poisoning in Mexico City. Officer Bristow had served with the United States Customs Service for three years. He was survived by his wife and one child. He was predeceased by two sons.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-3A48E623- 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.
Customs Officer Bristow gave the United States Department of the Treasury 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Customs Officer Bristow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Customs Officer Clyde Merrill Bristow 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clyde Merrill Bristow's cause is highlighted.
How Clyde Merrill Bristow Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clyde Merrill Bristow is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clyde Merrill Bristow was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
