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Thomas Frederick Ballman
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Ballman and Sergeant William Biggs were shot and killed when a suspect opened fire at a Kirkwood city council meeting. The man had held a grudge against the city council for several years and had filed several lawsuits against the city.
The suspect approached Sergeant Biggs across the street from the city hall and asked him what time the meeting started, then pulled out a handgun and fatally shot him in the head. The man then took Sergeant Biggs' service weapon and walked across the street into the city hall.
When he entered the council chambers, he approached Officer Ballman, who was sitting in the front of the room and also fatally shot him in the head. The man then opened fire on the other occupants of the room, killing two council members and the director of public works before being shot and killed by two other officers.
Officer Ballman had served with the Kirkwood Police Department for nine years and had previously served with the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ballman gave the Kirkwood Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kirkwood community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ballman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Frederick Ballman served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1991â1995) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kirkwood Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 5 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 37. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 12%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Kirkwood Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Kirkwood Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Military Service
Thomas Frederick Ballman served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1991–1995) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Frederick Ballman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kirkwood Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
