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Incident
Chief Arthur Meehan succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous day after he stopped a vehicle for evading a railroad crossing arm. The vehicle stopped in front of the San Bruno City Hall where the suspects opened fire on him, causing fatal wounds. He succumbed to his wounds the following day at the Mills Memorial Hospital. The car the suspects used was located in South San Francisco with several bullet holes. Two suspects were apprehended and sentenced to life for the murder of Chief Meehan. Both suspects escaped from San Quentin Prison in April 1925. For the next six weeks, both suspects went on a reign of terror throughout Northern California, killing a Sacramento merchant, kidnapping and robbing several people, and shooting a Sacramento policeman. One of the suspects was caught at the end of their six-week crime spree and returned to prison. The other suspect returned to San Francisco where he was later shot and killed when police raided an apartment looking for another wanted man. The other suspect was convicted of the Sacramento merchant's murder and received another life sentence. He was paroled on February 16, 1956. Chief Meehan had served with the San Bruno Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Meehan gave the San Bruno Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Bruno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Meehan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Bruno Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arthur 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 1923, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 30. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Arthur had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 30. 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. Arthur had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arthur was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Arthur had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at San Bruno Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
San Bruno Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Bruno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
