Roll of Honor
Thomas Jackson McElhaney
Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Handgun Offender: Acquitted
Railroad Detective Thomas McElhaney was shot and killed in the railroad yards at Cravens Yard in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at about 1:30 am.
A former railroad detective who had been fired had blamed Detective McElhaney for the loss of his job was arrested after a bloodhound tracked to his house from the crime scene. The former detective was arrested and charged with murder but was eventually acquitted due to the prosecution having only circumstantial evidence.
Detective McElhaney was survived by his wife and seven children.
Survivors
Detective McElhaney was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-05740E01- 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.
Railroad Detective McElhaney served with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective McElhaney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Thomas Jackson McElhaney 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Thomas Jackson McElhaney's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Jackson McElhaney Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Jackson McElhaney is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Jackson McElhaney was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
