Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas Reed and Police Officer Dennis McMahon were shot and killed while attempting to arrest an outlaw. The suspect shot both officers in the chest and then fled.
The suspect was arrested a short time later and was subsequently acquitted at trial. The man was later shot and killed when he attempted to shoot another man in a saloon.
The shooting of the two officers was heard by their friend, Samuel Clemens, better known as the legendary author Mark Twain. Accounts of the shootings appeared in several of Mark Twain's writings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NV-24B24D4A- 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
163 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Reed served with the Virginia City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas Reed 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 NV, 82 of 146 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.2% of this state's fallen. That is 56.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Virginia City Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Reed's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Reed Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Reed is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Reed was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Virginia City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
