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Special Agent

J. A. McClure

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department — Topeka, KS
Felonious
United States flag Kansas flag
End of Watch January 25, 1911
Age 48
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 25 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 31

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

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August 2, 2026

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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

Department Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Topeka, Shawnee County, KS
Platform Identity atsfrpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 25, 1911
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Age 48
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

J. 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

J. was 48. 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. J. had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

January holds 8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department has 32 officers remembered here, J. among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Special Agent J. A. McClure

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department · End of Watch January 25, 1911

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W

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