Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch Wednesday, September 3, 1930
Add to My HeroesLyle B. Clements
Detective Lyle Clements was shot and killed while patrolling a freight train near the Dunlop Yards in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The suspect had also shot Sergeant William Smith the previous week in the Milan freight yards in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Sergeant Smith was patrolling the yards before leaving on a train to Rocky Mount when the shooting took place. The suspect was able to flee the scene and on September 3, 1930, shot and killed Detective Lyle Clements, who was also a detective with the railroad, in the Dunlop rail yards in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Detective Clements was shot and killed in a coal car where he discovered the hobo and attempted to arrest him. The man shot Detective Clements four times. Detective Clements was able to return fire and wound the suspect in the leg. After the shooting the suspect threw his body from the moving train.
The man, 28, was arrested two weeks later in Charleston, South Carolina, and confessed to both murders. He had escaped from a prison work camp in Virginia on July 7, 1929, where he was serving a five year sentence for a malicious shooting conviction on July 2, 1927. On October 23 1930, he was convicted of Detective Clements' murder and sentenced to life. A 13-year-old boy arrested with him was convicted of complicity in murder.
Detective Clements had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his wife, father, and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Virginia
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsRest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
August 27, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Allan Reddins
Oak Park Police Department, IL
EOW: November 29, 2024
Police Officer Jesse Branch
Red Lake Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: November 27, 2024
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Love
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: October 19, 2024
Police Officer Cooper Dawson
Greenville Police Department, TX
EOW: November 26, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 25, 2024
Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson
Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, TX
EOW: November 22, 2024
Major Michelle Lynn Quintero
Madison County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 27, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, Jr.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2024
Corporal Luis Paez
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2024