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Deputy Sheriff

Fred McClanahan

Saline County Sheriff's Department — Harrisburg, IL

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch November 11, 1932

Age 37

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Deputy Fred McClanahan succumbed to a gunshot wound suffered five days earlier as he provided security at the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Carrier Mills.

Approximately 15 minutes after services began, gunshots were heard, and Deputy McClanahan, who had been shot in the left groin, was found outside. He stated two subjects appeared and began shooting at him as he stood in the churchyard. Despite being wounded, he was able to return fire, killing one of the men. Deputy McClanahan was taken to Lightner Hospital, where he died five days later of his wound.

The other suspect, who fled the scene, was arrested and admitted to shooting Deputy McClanahan but claimed self-defense.

Deputy McClanahan was a United States World War I Army veteran and had only recently been appointed as a deputy in order to provide security at the church.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two brothers, sister, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-B86BB9E0
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff McClanahan served with the Saline County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Saline County Sheriff's Department

Location Harrisburg, IL

Platform Identity scso.saline.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 11, 1932

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Arrested

Military Service

Fred McClanahan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Fred McClanahan 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 Saline County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Saline County Sheriff's Department

of 5 officers

40% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious