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Incident
Chief of Police Thomas Reilly and Patrolman Robert Mumford were shot and killed while questioning a man they had pulled over at the intersection of Route 5 and Sherrill Road following a gas station robbery. The suspect then drove to a nearby home in Munnsville and forced a woman and her two daughters, ages four and six, to drive him in their car to Syracuse. He released his hostages in downtown Syracuse. Syracuse Police arrested the suspect the next day. Both officers were transported to Oneida County Hospital where Patrolman Mumford was pronounced dead and Chief Reilly died four days later. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in February 1971. On January 7, 1974, he was re-sentenced to 50 years to life. Charges of armed robbery and kidnapping were dismissed because a judge ruled the suspect was denied his right to a speedy trial. The killer died in prison in 2008.
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 Reilly served with the Sherrill Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sherrill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Reilly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sherrill Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1969, 3 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
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
Thomas was 59. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Thomas was 59. 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.
Thomas was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 13.8% of these deaths in NY, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Sherrill Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.9% 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
Sherrill Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sherrill Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
