John Thomas Montague
Incident
Location: Nevada Incident Date: Wednesday, January 4, 1905
Night Watchman John Montague succumbed to injuries sustained the previous night when he was struck by a switch engine while on patrol in the rail yards at Sparks, Nevada.
He was transported to a hospital in Sacramento, California, where he died from his injuries.
Watchman Montague had served in law enforcement for five years.
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.
Night Watchman Montague gave the Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Montague.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 23 officers; 8 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1905, 1 officer at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1905, 1 officer in CA was lost to accidents, the 116th heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1905, 16 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 127th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1905, 24 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 125th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 40. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 40; the middle age was 40. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 40. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 12.5% of these deaths at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 34.8% of all 23 deaths at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Samuel S. Leffler Nov 29, 1891
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Lenard Harris
May 16, 1894
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John Luckie Elsberry
Aug 16, 1895
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John Thomas Montague Jan 5, 1905
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Edward Shay Jul 13, 1909
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Joel Robert Dubose Sep 5, 1910
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James Jebty Pipes
Oct 2, 1911
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M. A. Moore Aug 30, 1912
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Scott Percy Yolton
Jan 6, 1918
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Edward Baker Sep 15, 1920
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James Nathaniel Malone
Jul 8, 1924
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Eveleigh Bollman Bates
Nov 8, 1924
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Printess Jackson Varnon
Mar 7, 1928
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George Durst Farmer
Jan 19, 1929
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William M. Schuldt Jul 2, 1930
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Henry Clyde Hatcher
Sep 23, 1931
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Lester E. Roland Aug 23, 1934
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John Baptist Bradberry Mar 16, 1935
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Jose Sancedo Aug 11, 1937
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Owen McManus
Mar 31, 1938
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George Richard Kebort Jul 8, 1949
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Oliver Columbus Grems
Apr 23, 1955
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Brice Leon Woody
Jul 23, 1965
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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