Patrolman

Clarence E. Wright

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 29, 1882
Age 25
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 255
The Vigil Panel 7 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Clarence Wright was shot and killed while investigating an assault at 37 West Washington Street. He had gone to the apartment of an offender who had viciously attacked another citizen. When he knocked on the apartment door, it was opened slightly by a woman. Before the officer spoke a word, the offender placed his gun over the woman's shoulder and fired. Patrolman Wright fell backwards and died instantly. The suspect shot and wounded another officer as he made his escape. Two hours later the suspect was found by officers on Kinzie Street hiding in a chicken coop. He resisted arrest and was shot several times and killed. Patrolman Wright had served with the Chicago Police Department for six months.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother, brother, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtng7fxysdjzyvn2j3af7
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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

144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Wright gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 29, 1882
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 25
Badge Number 255
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Clarence was 25. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Clarence E. Wright

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch November 29, 1882

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W

↑