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Incident
Chief John Struble was shot and killed by a thief whom he and an officer were attempting to arrest.
Chief Struble and an officer were watching a home, where for the past three nights, a refrigerator on an enclosed porch had been broken into and articles taken. When the suspect entered the porch about midnight, Chief Struble and the officer confronted him. As the officers struggled with the suspect he produced a pistol, shot Chief Struble through the head and fled into the darkness as the officer fired at him several times.
On November 12, 1913, a man arrested in Des Moines, Iowa, for breaking into a boxcar was charged with Chief Struble's murder after he told police that he killed the chief and showed them a scar on his hand that he said came from a bullet fired by the officer. Later he recanted what he said. The suspect was acquitted after a farmer testified that the suspect was with him in Sciota, Illinois on the night of the murder. No other suspects were ever identified.
Chief Struble had served with the Clinton Police Department for 15 months.
Chief Struble and an officer were watching a home, where for the past three nights, a refrigerator on an enclosed porch had been broken into and articles taken. When the suspect entered the porch about midnight, Chief Struble and the officer confronted him. As the officers struggled with the suspect he produced a pistol, shot Chief Struble through the head and fled into the darkness as the officer fired at him several times.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-YSK8-KFGA-Wearlier record number BO-US-IL-432569BB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Struble gave the Clinton Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Clinton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Struble.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Clinton Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
John is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1910, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1910, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1910, 124 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 45. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 45. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 45. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Clinton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 100% 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; pistol, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Clinton Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clinton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
