Patrolman Clark Minor Irven
Canton Police Department
Missouri
End of Watch: Friday, October 18, 1889

Biographical Info
Age: 55
Tour of Duty: 5 years, 1 month
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: Friday, October 18, 1889
Weapon Used: Blunt object
Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1903

Patrolman Clark Irven was beaten to death by a man he had arrested and was escorting to jail.

Patrolman Irven was investigating a domestic disturbance involving the suspect and his wife when he placed the suspect under arrest when he refused to quite down. Just outside of the jail the suspect began resisting the officer, grabbed a sandbag and struck Patrolman Irven twice. The blows produced a concussion of the brain and lungs from which the officer died an hour later.

The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Irven's murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He was pardoned by Governor Dockery in 1903.

Patrolman Irven was survived by his wife, mother, and seven children.