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Thomas McMillin
Incident
Location: California Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to 10 years
Special Officer Thomas McMillin was shot and killed in Barstow, California, while attempting to arrest three hobos who were riding on the top of a railroad car.
The three suspects were apprehended after a short chase by a posse into the desert. Only the shooter was charged with murder. The other two were released. The suspect, 21, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. He had a parole hearing on April 19, 1928. The outcome is unknown.
Officer McMillin had served in law enforcement for 33 years. He had previously served as chief of police for 17 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Special Officer McMillin gave the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer McMillin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department has lost 32 officers; 24 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 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 1921, 2 officers at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 8 officers in KS were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Thomas was 57. Of the 21 killed feloniously at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 48; the middle age was 43. Thomas had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Thomas was 57. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Thomas had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Thomas was 57. 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 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 57. 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 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.5%.
August holds 11% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Mondays: 17.3%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 32 deaths at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 58.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.4% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department has 32 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Charles Hale
Oct 7, 1874
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Joseph Lampkin Dec 8, 1891
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George C. Montgomery Oct 5, 1901
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C. S. Calhoun Jul 12, 1905
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Thomas Clay Warden
Mar 2, 1906
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Oscar G. Bodley
Aug 29, 1906
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Charles L. Stewart
Aug 13, 1908
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J. A. McClure Jan 25, 1911
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John P. Cates Jun 7, 1911
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Joseph M. Kroskey Feb 22, 1912
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George W. Greenstreet Jun 17, 1912
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George W. LaPorte Mar 21, 1914
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Thomas J. Sullivan Apr 5, 1915
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William Francis Langdon
Dec 10, 1915
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Charles A. Kieper
Mar 17, 1919
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Jack Chelton Harris
Jul 15, 1919
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L. Frank Cornelius
Jan 20, 1921
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Thomas McMillin Aug 29, 1921
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Charles Sherman Patterson Aug 29, 1921
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Roy E. Burton Jul 27, 1922
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Vernon L. Holzer Aug 21, 1923
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Louis McCamant Apr 25, 1924
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Edward Lee Bowler Jan 16, 1925
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Lewis H. Mickey Mar 20, 1925
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Roy W. Stewart Jan 9, 1926
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Earl Scothorn Nov 13, 1927
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James Edward Dunman
Oct 29, 1930
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Buford A. French Nov 11, 1932
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John H. Nafziger
Jan 30, 1940
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Harry Lloyd Ashley
Dec 19, 1947
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Jimmie Allen Barnett Apr 29, 1975
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James Robert Robison
Feb 10, 1986
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
