Prev
Thomas Jackson McElhaney
Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Handgun Offender: Acquitted
Railroad Detective Thomas McElhaney was shot and killed in the railroad yards at Cravens Yard in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at about 1:30 am.
A former railroad detective who had been fired had blamed Detective McElhaney for the loss of his job was arrested after a bloodhound tracked to his house from the crime scene. The former detective was arrested and charged with murder but was eventually acquitted due to the prosecution having only circumstantial evidence.
Detective McElhaney was survived by his wife and seven children.
Survivors
Detective McElhaney was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp185mdtq3dgfs6fz0ec- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Railroad Detective McElhaney served with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective McElhaney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 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 1908, 7 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1908, 129 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1908, 129 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 41. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Thomas was 41. 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 was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
