Roll of Honor
Claude H. McDonald
Incident
Location: Oklahoma Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Chief of Detective Claude McDonald was shot and killed while checking boxcars in the Rock Island Railroad yards in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
He and another detective had gone to the yards to investigate a recent series of thefts from the cars.
The two detective split up as they checked the boxcars. Chief McDonald had looked into one of the boxcars and continued on. Moments later a man who was hiding inside jumped out. Chief McDonald was mortally wounded in the ensuing exchange of gunfire.
The suspect fled the scene but was located several days later. He was shot and mortally wounded while resisting arrest but confessed to murdering Chief McDonald before dying.
Chief McDonald was a U.S. military veteran had served with the Rock Island Railroad Police for nine years. He had previously served as a police officer for El Reno, Oklahoma, and as a deputy for the Grady County Sheriff's Office, as well as serving as a Canadain County Deputy Sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 3-month-old child, parents, and 10 siblings, and is buried in El Reno Cemetery, El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-265D7B80- 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 Claude. 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 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.
Chief of Detectives McDonald gave the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Claude H. McDonald served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Detectives Claude H. McDonald 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 Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department, 13 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Claude H. McDonald's cause is highlighted.
How Claude H. McDonald Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Claude H. McDonald is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Claude H. McDonald was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
