Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Dennis McMahon and Police Officer Thomas Reed were shot and killed while attempting to arrest an outlaw. The suspect shot both officers in the chest and then fled.
The suspect was arrested a short time later and was subsequently acquitted at trial. The man was later shot and killed when he attempted to shoot another man in a saloon.
The shooting of the two officers was heard by their friend, Samuel Clemens, better known as the legendary author Mark Twain. Accounts of the shootings appeared in several of Mark Twain's writings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-6E182B8D- 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.
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Tributes
163 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer McMahon served with the Virginia City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Dennis McMahon 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Virginia City Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis McMahon's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis McMahon Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis McMahon is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis McMahon was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Virginia City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
