Thomas Charles Meehan

King County Sheriffs Dept. — Seattle, WA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch November 13, 1935

Age 44

The Vigil Panel 70 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 17

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Meehan was shot and killed while on duty. His body was located on the old Valley Highway with a gunshot wound to the head and a wound caused by a blunt object to the back of his head. It is believed that he was murdered elsewhere and that the suspect(s) transported his body to the location where it was found. On December 25, 1935, Policeman Thomas O'Neil, of the Butte, Montana, Police Department, was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance. The suspect in Policeman O'Neils' death was also suspected of being involved in Deputy Meehan's murder. After murdering Policeman O'Neil, the suspect fled to an acquaintance's house where he held several people hostage. One of the hostages was able to escape and alert authorities. During the standoff the suspect admitted to the hostages that he had murdered both officers and two other citizens. The suspect was shot and killed in a shootout with officers a short time later. Deputy Meehan had previously served with the United States Army during World War I. He is buried in Enumclaw Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Enumclaw, Washington.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WA-29E04154
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Meehan served with the King County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department King County Sheriffs Dept.

Location Seattle, WA

Platform Identity kingso.king.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 13, 1935

Age 44

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Military Service

Thomas Charles Meehan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Charles 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At King County Sheriffs Dept., 11 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.1% of this agency's fallen.

King County Sheriffs Dept.

of 18 officers

61.1% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious