Roll of Honor
Dean L. McLaughlin
Incident
Chief Special Agent Dean McLaughlin was shot and killed by a subordinate officer in Denver, Colorado. The officer held a grudge against Chief Special Agent McLaughlin over a wage dispute. The officer ambushed him in the parking lot outside of the Union Pacific Building and shot opened fire with a shotgun as Chief Special Agent McLaughlin sat in his car. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Chief Special Agent McLaughlin had been with the Union Pacific Railroad Police for 36 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. He had just been elected as president of the Colorado Law Enforcement Officers' Association prior to his murder.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-C956A1A4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dean. 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
36 years. You could have gone home.
Chief Special Agent McLaughlin gave the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department 36 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Special Agent McLaughlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Special Agent Dean L. McLaughlin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, 13 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dean L. McLaughlin's cause is highlighted.
How Dean L. McLaughlin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dean L. McLaughlin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dean L. McLaughlin was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
