Incident
Auxiliary Officer Michael Mills was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he and his partner assisted a disabled motorist on North Virginia Street. After striking Officer Mills, the suspect fled the scene but crashed into a nearby shed, fled on foot, and was arrested two hours later. The man was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, and felony hit-and-run. Officer Mills' partner and the motorist they were helping were also struck and seriously injured. Both recovered but the man they were helping lost a leg. The 33-year-old suspect was convicted of drunk driving, hit-and-run, and involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to 6 years. Auxiliary Officer Mills had served with the Reno Police Department for only five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, two brothers, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Auxiliary Officer Mills served with the Reno Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Officer Mills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Reno Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 1 officer at Reno Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 1969, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 24. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Reno Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 54; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Michael was 24. Of the 70 killed feloniously in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 37. Michael had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 24. 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. Michael had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 10% of these deaths at Reno Police Department; November holds the most, 30%. Saturdays: 40%.
January holds 7.3% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Saturdays: 15.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Reno Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.1% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Reno Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Harry P. Brown
Sep 26, 1905
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Charles A. Browne
Nov 10, 1907
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Wilson Fugate Jul 2, 1929
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Ross Peterson Sep 11, 1931
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LeRoy Joseph Geach
Nov 8, 1947
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Allen A. Glass
Nov 8, 1947
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Michael J. Mills
Jan 18, 1969
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James Duane Hoff
Jun 25, 1979
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Glenn William Turner
Dec 29, 1979
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Keith Tadashi Hashimoto
Mar 29, 1996
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John C. Bohach
Aug 22, 2001
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Michael Robert Scofield
Sep 26, 2002
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Reno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.








