The Killing in Broad Daylight – When Silence Became a Shield

 

July 10, 1981 – Skidmore, Missouri

It was a Friday morning. The air was heavy, not with heat, but with anticipation. Ken Rex McElroy had returned to town again—unpunished, unrepentant, and armed. He parked his pickup truck outside the D&G Tavern, just as he had done countless times before. But this time, the town was ready.

🕵️ The Setup: A Community Meeting

Earlier that day, nearly 60 townspeople had gathered at the American Legion Hall. The topic: what to do about McElroy. The meeting wasn’t officially recorded. No minutes were taken. But those present later described a mood of quiet resolve.

No one openly called for violence. But the message was clear: the law had failed. The community would not.

🚗 The Shooting: 12:30 PM

McElroy sat in his truck with his wife, Trena, beside him. He had just purchased a six-pack of beer. As he started the engine, shots rang out.

• Witnesses: Between 30 and 60 people were present.

• Weapons: At least two rifles were fired.

• Trena’s Account: She claimed to see Del Clement raise a rifle and fire the fatal shots.

McElroy slumped over the steering wheel. The truck idled. No one called an ambulance. No one ran. No one spoke.

🧱 The Wall of Silence

When investigators arrived, they were met with a town united—not in conspiracy, but in silence.

• No Eyewitnesses: Despite the crowd, no one admitted seeing the shooter.

• No Charges Filed: The FBI and state investigators interviewed dozens. No one was indicted.

• Trena’s Lawsuit: In 1984, she filed a wrongful death suit. It was settled for $17,600—without admission of guilt.

Skidmore had spoken—not with words, but with silence.

🧠 Moral Ambiguity and Legacy

Was it justice? Was it murder? The killing of Ken Rex McElroy remains one of the most infamous unsolved homicides in American history. But unlike most cold cases, this one has no mystery—only silence.

The town’s refusal to cooperate wasn’t born of fear. It was born of trauma. McElroy had terrorized Skidmore for decades. The legal system had failed. The community acted. And then, it closed ranks.

🕯️ Tone and Takeaway

This isn’t a whodunit—it’s a whydunit. Part Three marks the moment when Skidmore stopped waiting for justice and took it into its own hands. The silence that followed wasn’t just protective—it was symbolic.

Next Up: Part Four – Aftermath and Legacy We’ll explore the media frenzy, legal fallout, and how McElroy’s death shaped Skidmore’s identity for decades to come.