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Incident
Jailer Eli Bray was shot and killed with his own service weapon during an escape attempt from the Carthage Jail. Jailer Bray was working as a relief jailer, so the normal jailer could have a day off. An 18-year-old man and his 20-year-old wife came to the jail to see a prisoner. The man attacked Jailer Bray from behind, gained control of his service revolver, and shot him four times. The couple wanted to break a prisoner out of jail but failed in their attempt and fled. The suspects were arrested after fleeing to Chelsea, Oklahoma. The man was convicted of Jailer Bray's murder and sentenced to death on April 25, 1931. His sentence was later commuted to 50 years. In December of 1954 he escaped from the Missouri Penitentiary. On November 14, 1958, he was captured in Los Angeles, California. His wife was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison on May 21, 1931. Jailer Bray also served as a Carthage police officer and Marion Township constable.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, five brothers, and two sisters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Jailer Bray served with the Carthage Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Carthage community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Bray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Eli is the only officer of Carthage Police Department remembered here.
Eli is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Eli is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eli is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eli was 49. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Eli was 49. 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.
Eli was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Carthage Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 4.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
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