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Christopher O. McClure
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun; .32 caliber Offender: Shot and killed
Special Agent Christopher McClure was shot and killed at 9:15 pm while investigating a group of three suspicious men near the Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, rail yards.
He and another agent were on a special detail to ride a freight train from Springfield to Mt. Pulaski to try to catch a ring of freight car thieves who had been breaking into trains in the Mt. Pulaski yards. As the train approached the yards the agents saw three men huddled around a fire next to the railroad right of way. The agents jumped off the train and circled around.
The other agent remained hidden in a nearby cornfield as Agent McClure called out to the suspects. The suspect approached him and as he squatted down, Agent McClure shined his light on the suspect and asked what was in his hand. The man immediately opened fire with a .32-caliber handgun, striking Agent McClure in the heart. Both agents returned fire, striking the suspect five times. Agent McClure succumbed to his wound at the scene. The suspect died the next day.
Agent McClure had served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department for only one month, but had been employed with the railroad for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent McClure served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Christopher is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 1 officer at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1936, with 2.
In 1931, 20 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 36. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 36; the middle age was 35. Christopher had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Christopher was 36. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 36. 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. Christopher had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 10%.
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
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Matthew E. McGrath
Aug 8, 1903
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Victor C. Benner Dec 7, 1911
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Cyrus E. Van Sickle Feb 11, 1916
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Louis Edward Baum Jul 27, 1927
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Joseph J. Kucera, Jr. Apr 29, 1929
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Christopher O. McClure Feb 17, 1931
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Frank M. Bolen
Apr 26, 1933
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Richard Kelly May 30, 1935
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Roy Dale Zearfoss
Jul 17, 1936
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William Urban Sprous Sep 13, 1936
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John Ben Merz Oct 11, 1949
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Jess Anderson
Sep 11, 1950
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
