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Incident
Patrolman Clark Irven was beaten to death by a man he had arrested and was escorting to jail. Patrolman Irven was investigating a domestic disturbance involving the suspect and his wife when he placed the suspect under arrest when he refused to quite down. Just outside of the jail the suspect began resisting the officer, grabbed a sandbag and struck Patrolman Irven twice. The blows produced a concussion of the brain and lungs from which the officer died an hour later. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Irven's murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He was pardoned by Governor Dockery in 1903.
Survivors
Patrolman Irven was survived by his wife, mother, and seven 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
137 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Irven gave the Canton Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Canton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clark is the only officer of Canton Police Department remembered here.
Clark is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Clark is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clark 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 1889, 4 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1889, 46 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1889, 48 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clark was 55. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Clark had served 5.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clark was 55. 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. Clark had served 5.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clark was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clark had served 5.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 12.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Canton Police Department. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.3% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
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