Michael J. Mills

Reno Police Dept. — Reno, NV

Felonious

End of Watch January 18, 1969

Age 24

Tour of Duty 5 mo

The Vigil Panel 105 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 11

Incident

Auxiliary Officer Michael Mills was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he and his partner assisted a disabled motorist on North Virginia Street. After striking Officer Mills, the suspect fled the scene but crashed into a nearby shed, fled on foot, and was arrested two hours later. The man was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, and felony hit-and-run. Officer Mills' partner and the motorist they were helping were also struck and seriously injured. Both recovered but the man they were helping lost a leg. The 33-year-old suspect was convicted of drunk driving, hit-and-run, and involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 6 years. Auxiliary Officer Mills had served with the Reno Police Department for only five months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, two brothers, and mother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NV-FFBE94C8
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 Michael. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Auxiliary Officer Mills served with the Reno Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Officer Mills.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Reno Police Dept.

Location Reno, NV

Platform Identity rpd.washoe.nv.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 18, 1969

Tour of Duty 5 mo

Age 24

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 6 years

Auxiliary Officer Michael J. Mills 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 Reno Police Dept., 10 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.

Reno Police Dept.

of 12 officers

83.3% Felonious

NV — Statewide

of 145 officers

55.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious