Local residents who were alive 42 years ago likely will remember a tragic incident occurring then, which will be recalled Monday at a program in Mount Airy.

It was on the night of Feb. 25, 1971 that Detective Clinton Monroe Boggs was gunned down on the side of U.S. 52 while investigating a stolen vehicle case.

Monday, on the 42nd anniversary of Boggs’ death, a program is scheduled at the Mount Airy Police Department in his memory. The public is invited to the memorial service to begin at noon in the Detective Monroe Boggs Training Room in the police station.

“This is an annual remembrance on the day in which he was killed and is part of Clinton Monroe Boggs Day in Mount Airy, which the city commissioners authorized several years ago,” said organizer Chet Jessup.

Jessup is a retired state Alcohol Law Enforcement agent who regularly spearheads activities honoring the eight officers in Surry and Yadkin counties who have been killed in the line of duty.

Boggs, 38, was fatally shot after stopping a vehicle he suspected of being stolen from a local car dealership on U.S. 52 at the exit ramp to N.C. 89. Four bullets struck Boggs, who had joined the Mount Airy Police Department in 1966. The twin bridges on U.S. 52 which cross N.C. 89 at that location are named in his honor.

He left behind two children. “They both plan to be there (Monday),” Jessup said of Dawn Stanley and Clinton Monroe Boggs Jr.

The brief program will include a moment of silence in remembrance of the slain officer, prayer and remarks by participants including Police Chief Dale Watson and Jessup.

“Hopefully, the mayor will be there” along with other officials, Jessup said.

In addition to designating Feb. 25 of each year as “Detective Clinton Monroe Boggs Day” in Mount Airy, the 2011 action by the commissioners orders all governmental flags on and/or attached to city property to be flown from sunrise to sunset at half-staff that day.

The public is encouraged to fly personal flags in the same manner, as well as observe a moment of silence at noon on Monday.

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@civitasmedia.com.