Incident
Deputy Mendina was struck and killed by a driver while stopping to assist another officer who was checking two suspicious men on K-32. As Deputy Mendina stepped out of his patrol car and joined the other officer they both were struck. The other officer suffered a broken arm. The 21-year-old driver, who fled from the scene, was later arrested and tried for manslaughter. His first trial ended with a hung jury. His second trial ended when the judge declared a mistrial. In November of 1958 the driver was sentenced to 115 days in jail after he was involved in another accident while his license was revoked.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Mendina gave the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mendina.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 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 1956, 1 officer at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 2.
In 1956, 1 officer in KS was killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 28. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34.8 and 44.3; the middle age was 35. Thomas had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 28. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Thomas had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Thomas was 28. 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 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 28. 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 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 12.5% of these deaths at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 25%. Sundays: 25%.
March holds 6.8% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 10 deaths at Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 3.8% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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William Conway May 11, 1896
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Charles Quincy Lukens Dec 8, 1909
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Frank Rohrbach Aug 6, 1931
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Maurice A. Bedell, Sr.
Aug 29, 1954
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Wesley Gippy Walden
Nov 19, 1955
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Thomas W. Mendina Mar 4, 1956
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James L. Reynolds Aug 4, 1984
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Patrick Thomas Rohrer
Jun 15, 2018
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Theresa Sue King
Jun 16, 2018
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Elijah Ming
Jul 26, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.




