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Incident
At approximately 1:15 a.m., Night Watchman John W. Slaughter was making his regular rounds in the downtown area when he was shot and killed by an unknown person using a 12 gauge shotgun. Slaughter's body was found the next morning lying in Sully Street between City Hall and Parson's Produce. Tire marks by the body indicated that someone had sped off in a vehicle. A filling station had been broken into during the night and officers suspected Slaughter may have attempted to stop the burglar. The citizens of Clarendon raised $2,000 as a reward for the capture and conviction of Slaughter's killer. Over two years later, in July 1929, John Scott of Wichita Falls gave a statement implicating S.P. Scroggins, aka: S.B. and O.B. Scroggins as the killer. Scroggins was charged with the murder. Scroggins was arrested and then released on bond and died of a heart attack or stroke in September 1929 before he could be tried on the murder charge.
Slaughter's wife, Bessie May Slaughter, preceded him in death. He was survived by two small children and other relatives. He is buried in Citizens Cemetery, Clarendon, Donley County, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by two small children and other relatives.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Watchman Slaughter served with the Clarendon Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Clarendon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Slaughter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Clarendon Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 18 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 32. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 32. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Clarendon Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
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