Constable Anthony DeLong was shot and killed while attempting to arrest robbery suspects.
On July 30, 1887, Constable DeLong succumbed to gunshot wounds received two days earlier while in pursuit of suspects in a posse. A group of men had robbed a bard and been involved in a shootout the previous day were spotted traveling north a few miles northwest of Craig, Missouri. Craig Marshal Wilson organized a posse that included Constable DeLong. The posse tracked the suspects to a residence at Phelps in Atchison County. As they approached the house Constable DeLong was shot in the head. The other members of the posse assumed Constable DeLong was dead and left him to go into Phelps for help. They returned to find the suspects gone and Constable DeLong was still alive. The suspects refused to move him into the shade but took his revolver, rifle, watch and money. Constable DeLong died about three hours later at about 9:00 pm.
Constable DeLong was survived by his wife, Rhuhama, & three children, Henry, Francis, & Charles.
Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial