Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Mendina was struck and killed by a driver while stopping to assist another officer who was checking two suspicious men on K-32. As Deputy Mendina stepped out of his patrol car and joined the other officer they both were struck. The other officer suffered a broken arm. The 21-year-old driver, who fled from the scene, was later arrested and tried for manslaughter. His first trial ended with a hung jury. His second trial ended when the judge declared a mistrial. In November of 1958 the driver was sentenced to 115 days in jail after he was involved in another accident while his license was revoked.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-11340608- 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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Mendina gave the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mendina.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas W. Mendina 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas W. Mendina's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas W. Mendina Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas W. Mendina is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas W. Mendina was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
