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Dean L. McLaughlin
Incident
Chief Special Agent Dean McLaughlin was shot and killed by a subordinate officer in Denver, Colorado. The officer held a grudge against Chief Special Agent McLaughlin over a wage dispute. The officer ambushed him in the parking lot outside of the Union Pacific Building and shot opened fire with a shotgun as Chief Special Agent McLaughlin sat in his car. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Chief Special Agent McLaughlin had been with the Union Pacific Railroad Police for 36 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. He had just been elected as president of the Colorado Law Enforcement Officers' Association prior to his murder.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
36 years. You could have gone home.
Chief Special Agent McLaughlin gave the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department 36 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Special Agent McLaughlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 21 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Dean is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
Dean is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dean is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 2 officers at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 6 officers in NE were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dean was 62. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.5 and 46.8; the middle age was 38.5. Dean had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Dean was 62. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Dean had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Dean was 62. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dean had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dean was 62. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dean had served 36 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.7% of these deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department; August holds the most, 46.2%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
April holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Wednesdays: 14.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.9% of all 21 deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 10.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Dean among them.
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Henry Vincents
Aug 19, 1878
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William E. Ransom
Jan 29, 1894
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William C. Downing Jan 29, 1901
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Thomas Gentleman Jan 8, 1904
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Theodore Franklin Wiser Sep 10, 1904
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Edward Scott Mar 28, 1910
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William Floyd Aug 4, 1910
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Lloyd James Spaur
Aug 4, 1912
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George Shindle
Jul 3, 1916
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Ray Watson Daugherty
Nov 19, 1917
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George R. Stewart Jul 27, 1918
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Jess L. Sitton Mar 4, 1922
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William Ford Sherman
Aug 31, 1927
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Eldon L. Smith Aug 4, 1932
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Norman G. Fowler Aug 29, 1932
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Ralph Ransom Taylor
Oct 14, 1933
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Gerald A. Schuett
Dec 22, 1968
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Dean L. McLaughlin Apr 6, 1977
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Larry Eugene Boles
Jul 9, 1977
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Kevin Patrick Hogan Jan 18, 1991
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Aaron Garcia
May 7, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
