Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Thomas O'Neill was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a boarding house. The suspect shot and killed another person at the boarding house before fleeing. The suspect shot another person the following day during a large search for the man. The suspect who murdered Policeman O'Neill was also suspected of being involved in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Thomas Meehan, of the King County, Washington, Sheriff's Department on November 13, 1935. After murdering Policeman O'Neill the suspect fled to an acquaintance's house where he held several people hostage. One of the hostages was able to escape and alert authorities. During the standoff the suspect admitted to the hostages that he had murdered both officers and two other citizens. The suspect was shot and killed in a shootout with officers a short time later. Policeman O'Neill had served with the agency for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-BA195CDC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Policeman O'Neill gave the Butte Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Butte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman O'Neill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Thomas J. O'Neill 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 MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 65.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Butte Police Department, 10 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. O'Neill's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. O'Neill Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. O'Neill is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. O'Neill was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Butte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
