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Incident
City Marshal Richard Cloy was shot and killed while attempting to collect a license fee from a local hotel owner. The subject began to argue with Marshal Cloy who left, giving him an opportunity to calm down. Later on in the day he shot him in the back with a rifle from a distance of 130 yards.
On October 16, 1891, the suspect, 42, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On March 8, 1893, he was hanged at Magnolia. The suspect invented the Ford-Whitworth Automatic Car Coupler, that allowed train cars to connect by simply bumping into each other without having a worker involved. It made him a wealthy man, with a net worth of well over $100,000. Relatives and others described him as a genius with a bad temper he could not control.
Marshal Cloy had served with the McComb Police Department for only seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Cloy served with the McComb Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the McComb community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McComb Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1891, 3 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1891, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 37. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Richard had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Richard was 37. 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. Richard had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 5.3% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 16.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at McComb Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
McComb Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from McComb Police Department are honored on badge.nw.