Roll of Honor
J. A. McClure
Incident
Location: New Mexico Weapon: Handgun Offender: Not available
Special Agent J.A. McClure was shot and killed while attempting to arrest several men for stealing corn from a train near Abo, New Mexico.
He and his partner had boarded the train at Belen in an attempt to stop any theft from occurring in Abo Pass. His partner had gotten off the train at a flag stop and Agent McClure continued on. When Agent McClure failed to return to the station a search was undertaken. His body was found three days later in a well suffering four bullet wounds.
An investigation revealed that he had followed a trail of corn to a campsite where several suspects, a father, Frank Howe, and his two sons, Guy and Robert, had taken stolen corn. The men opened fire on him as he approached, killing him. They then dumped his body in the well on the property of one of the men. The suspects attempted to flee to Mexico but were stopped at the border crossing in Ft. Hancock, Texas, where they shot and killed United States Customs Inspector Thomas L. O'Connor and wounded Justice of the Peace M.R. Hemly. Hemly was wounded in the shootout but managed to wound Robert Howe. The suspects continued to flee and were pursued by Texas Rangers and New Mexico lawmen. On January 31st, 1911, the officers caught up with them and shot and killed the father and one son.
Agent McClure had served with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department for 10 years. He was survived by his child and sister, and predeceased by his wife. He is buried at Fairview Memorial Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Survivors
He was survived by his child and sister, and predeceased by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-B7BA3423- 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.
Special Agent McClure gave the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent McClure.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent J. A. McClure 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 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department, 24 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. A. McClure's cause is highlighted.
How J. A. McClure Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. A. McClure is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. A. McClure was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
