Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Police Officer Tom January was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight at a dance hall in Mercedes.
As he attempted to quell the disturbance one of the men involved pulled out a pistol and shot Officer January twice. Despite his wounds, Officer January was able to return fire and killed the subject. A bystander was shot and mortally wounded by the subject as well.
Officer January was survived by his wife and son. He was predeceased by a daughter.
Survivors
Officer January was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-44E7B444- 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.
Special Police Officer January served with the Mercedes Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mercedes community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Police Officer January.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Police Officer Tomas January 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Tomas January's cause is highlighted.
How Tomas January Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Tomas January is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Tomas January was killed by gun; unknown type.