Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Mills was shot and killed when he noticed a suspicious car parked on the side of a road as he and his wife drove by. He had another deputy back him up and they confronted two men inside of the car. One of the men produced a gun and held the two officers at gunpoint. When one of the men went to disable Sheriff Mills' car the sheriff attempted to disarm the other suspect. The suspect opened fire, mortally wounding Sheriff Mills and wounding the other deputy. Two days later both suspects were apprehended in Pueblo, Colorado, after a running gun battle with officers. Both were convicted of Sheriff Mills' murder and sentenced to life. Later one suspect escaped from the Kansas Penitentiary and fled to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he shot and killed a grocery store owner on May 27, 1931. On November 24, 1932, he was executed in Indiana's electric chair. The other suspect was denied parole in 1949.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-F2F479C8- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Mills served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Syracuse community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Govan C. Mills is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Govan C. Mills's cause is highlighted.
How Govan C. Mills Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Govan C. Mills is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Govan C. Mills was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
