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Joel Mcdonald

Case from Columbia, CA dated Nov 26, 1858

Victim Details

Name

Man Joel N. Mcdonald

Gender

Male

City

Columbia

State

Date Of Death

1858-11-26

First Name

Joel

Last Name

Mcdonald

Last Updated

06/30/2026

Case Description

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Joel N. McDonald, a policeman in Columbia, California, met a tragic end on November 26, 1858. McDonald, along with Constable John Leary, was involved in an operation to arrest three professional thieves who had been loitering suspiciously around the town. McDonald, working undercover, gained the trust of the thieves by suggesting they rob a house together and then divide the loot at his saloon. The plan was for Constable Leary to hide at the saloon and surprise the suspects during the robbery.
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Links to Additional Sources (2)
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Policeman Joel N. McDonald
Local law enforcement agencies commemorate National Peace ...

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Forum Posts (3)

I've been reading about Joel N. McDonald's case, and it's just a deeply moving reminder of the risks... ...Read More
12/22/2024

I've been thinking about the role of trust and deception in the case surrounding Joel N. McDonald's ... ...Read More
09/19/2024

I've been reading up on the case of Joel N. McDonald, and one aspect that really stands out to me is... ...Read More
09/03/2023

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