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Incident
Chief Clarence Ritsch was shot and killed while escorting a prisoner to jail that he had arrested for being intoxicated.
As they walked to the jail, the man reached inside of his coat pocket and fired a handgun. Although mortally wounded, Chief Ritsch was able to return fire. The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He was paroled December 6, 1957.
Chief Ritsch had served with the Carmi Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight 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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Ritsch gave the Carmi Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Carmi community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Ritsch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Carmi Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Clarence is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence 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 1934, 17 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clarence was 50. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 50. 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 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Carmi Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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, in 28.5% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Carmi Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Carmi Police Department are honored on badge.nw.