Clarence L. "Boots" Shields

Topeka Police Department — Topeka, KS

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch April 11, 1955

Age 32

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 91 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Patrolman Clarence Shields was shot and killed by one of two burglars he surprised on the roof of the Moose Lodge at 1901 North Kansas Avenue. A search began for him when his patrol car was found three miles away. His body was not found until later that day. Two suspects were arrested the next day. It was discovered that both suspects worked for Patrolman Shields at a trucking company he ran during his off-duty hours. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The other suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to no less than 15 years in prison. Patrolman Shields, who also served in the U.S.

Survivors

Merchant Marines, was survived by his wife, 2-year-old daughter, and 8-week-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KS-3BB904FF
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.
Patrolman Shields gave the Topeka Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Topeka Police Department

Location Topeka, KS

Platform Identity tpd.shawnee.ks.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 11, 1955

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Clarence L. "Boots" Shields served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Clarence L. "Boots" Shields 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Topeka Police Department, 6 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.

Topeka Police Department

of 10 officers

60% Felonious

KS — Statewide

237

of 335 officers

70.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious