Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Sheriff

James L. Barclay

McDonough County Sheriff's Office — Macomb, IL

Felonious

End of Watch May 18, 1917

Age 51

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 32 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Sheriff James Barclay was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for murder and auto theft. When surrounded by a posse the suspect shot and killed himself. Sheriff Barclay had served with the McDonough County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his wife, daughter and son. His son later went on to serve as a deputy sheriff and sheriff of McDonough County.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-EC58AFFE
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Barclay gave the McDonough County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Macomb community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Barclay.

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

Agency

Department McDonough County Sheriff's Office

Location Macomb, IL

Platform Identity mcso.mcdonough.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 18, 1917

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Committed suicide

Sheriff James L. Barclay 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 McDonough 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.

McDonough County Sheriff's Office

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James L. Barclay's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James L. Barclay Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James L. Barclay is highlighted in May.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James L. Barclay was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from McDonough County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.