Incident
Chief D. Raleigh Clarke was shot and killed while investigating a report of illegal gambling and liquor sales. He was shot from an ambush while entering a local pool hall where the activities were taking place. The 20-year-old killer was convicted of Chief Clarke's murder and sentenced to 40 years. Charges were dropped against three other participants in exchange for their testimony. In November of 1973 he escaped from the Washington County Jail. In July of 1974 he was captured by FBI agents in Miami, Florida. In 1980 he received an additional two years when he was convicted of receiving smuggled drugs in prison.
Survivors
Chief Clarke had served with the Millry Police Department for 2 years and is survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-BCA91B14- 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.
Chief of Police Clarke gave the Millry Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Millry community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Clarke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police D. Raleigh Clarke 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Millry Police Department, 1 of 2 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. D. Raleigh Clarke's cause is highlighted.
How D. Raleigh Clarke Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 40 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. D. Raleigh Clarke is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. D. Raleigh Clarke was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Millry Police Department are honored on badge.nw.