Incident
Location: Nebraska Incident Date: Thursday, January 7, 1904 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to 10 years
Special Agent Thomas Gentleman succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day when he was shot by two subjects who were stealing coal from a railroad car near Fourteenth Street in Omaha, Nebraska.
The suspect who shot Special Agent Gentleman was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Special Agent Gentleman had served with the agency for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Special Agent Gentleman gave the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Omaha community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Gentleman.
— 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.
Thomas is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 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 1904, 2 officers at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1904, 2 officers in NE were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 49. 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. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Thomas was 49. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 49. 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 had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 15.4% of these deaths at Union Pacific Railroad Police Department; August holds the most, 46.2%. Fridays: 7.7%.
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Fridays: 16.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
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 gun; unknown type, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 7.2% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Union Pacific Railroad Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Thomas 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 48-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.







