Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Arthur Meehan succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous day after he stopped a vehicle for evading a railroad crossing arm. The vehicle stopped in front of the San Bruno City Hall where the suspects opened fire on him, causing fatal wounds. He succumbed to his wounds the following day at the Mills Memorial Hospital. The car the suspects used was located in South San Francisco with several bullet holes. Two suspects were apprehended and sentenced to life for the murder of Chief Meehan. Both suspects escaped from San Quentin Prison in April 1925. For the next six weeks, both suspects went on a reign of terror throughout Northern California, killing a Sacramento merchant, kidnapping and robbing several people, and shooting a Sacramento policeman. One of the suspects was caught at the end of their six-week crime spree and returned to prison. The other suspect returned to San Francisco where he was later shot and killed when police raided an apartment looking for another wanted man. The other suspect was convicted of the Sacramento merchant's murder and received another life sentence. He was paroled on February 16, 1956. Chief Meehan had served with the San Bruno Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-E2F28432- 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.
Chief of Police Meehan gave the San Bruno Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bruno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Meehan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Arthur G. Meehan 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Bruno Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur G. Meehan's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur G. Meehan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur G. Meehan is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur G. Meehan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Bruno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
