Thomas P. Reilly
Agency patch
Chief of Police

Thomas P. Reilly

Sherrill Police Department — Sherrill, NY
Felonious
End of Watch September 13, 1969
Age 59
The Vigil Panel 105 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Chief of Police Thomas Reilly and Patrolman Robert Mumford were shot and killed while questioning a man they had pulled over at the intersection of Route 5 and Sherrill Road following a gas station robbery. The suspect then drove to a nearby home in Munnsville and forced a woman and her two daughters, ages four and six, to drive him in their car to Syracuse. He released his hostages in downtown Syracuse. Syracuse Police arrested the suspect the next day. Both officers were transported to Oneida County Hospital where Patrolman Mumford was pronounced dead and Chief Reilly died four days later. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in February 1971. On January 7, 1974, he was re-sentenced to 50 years to life. Charges of armed robbery and kidnapping were dismissed because a judge ruled the suspect was denied his right to a speedy trial. The killer died in prison in 2008.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-9C10C2C7
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 Reilly served with the Sherrill Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sherrill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Reilly.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Sherrill, NY
Platform Identity spd.oneida.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 13, 1969
Age 59
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Died in prison

Chief of Police Thomas P. Reilly 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Sherrill Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Sherrill Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas P. Reilly's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Thomas P. Reilly Compares

Age at End of Watch
59
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Died in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas P. Reilly is highlighted in Sep.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas P. Reilly was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Sherrill Police Department are honored on badge.nw.