Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant George Sullivan was found beaten to death next to his patrol car near an information kiosk on Center Street at approximately 1 a.m. Sergeant Sullivan was ambushed by a man who held a hatred for law enforcement officers. The man attacked him with a hatchet, fatally wounding him. His body was found by two university employees walking through campus. After murdering Sergeant Sullivan, the suspect took his gun belt and gun and fled the area. He was arrested two days later after a standoff with the Salt Lake City, Utah, Police Department. On Oct. 6, 1999, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Sergeant Sullivan had served with the University of Nevada Reno Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-3DB00165- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Sullivan gave the University of Nevada Reno Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant George Daniel Sullivan 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 University of Nevada Reno Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Daniel Sullivan's cause is highlighted.
How George Daniel Sullivan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Daniel Sullivan is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Daniel Sullivan was killed by edged weapon; hatchet.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from University of Nevada Reno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
