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Michael F. Churchill
Incident
Chief of Police Mike Churchill was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for beating his wife the previous night. As Chief Churchill approached the man in a shed behind his house, the man opened fire with a shotgun, killing Chief Churchill around 10:00 a.m. The man was apprehended by a posse, convicted, and hung on May 6th, 1950. Chief Churchill was a United States Army WWI veteran. He had served with the Osawatomie Police Department for ten years and law enforcement for an additional seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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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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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Churchill gave the Osawatomie Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Osawatomie community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael F. Churchill served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Osawatomie Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael 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 1947, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 48. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Michael had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Michael was 48. 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. Michael had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 4.2% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 17.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Osawatomie Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Osawatomie Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Military Service
Michael F. Churchill served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael F. Churchill’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 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Osawatomie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.