Incident
Policeman Thomas O'Neill was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a boarding house. The suspect shot and killed another person at the boarding house before fleeing. The suspect shot another person the following day during a large search for the man. The suspect who murdered Policeman O'Neill was also suspected of being involved in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Thomas Meehan, of the King County, Washington, Sheriff's Department on November 13, 1935. After murdering Policeman O'Neill the suspect fled to an acquaintance's house where he held several people hostage. One of the hostages was able to escape and alert authorities. During the standoff the suspect admitted to the hostages that he had murdered both officers and two other citizens. The suspect was shot and killed in a shootout with officers a short time later. Policeman O'Neill had served with the agency for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpn9yh0bm76f6h4394zf- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Policeman O'Neill gave the Butte Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Butte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman O'Neill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Butte Police Department has lost 14 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 2 officers at Butte Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 6 officers in MT were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 37. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Butte Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 52; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10% of these deaths at Butte Police Department; March holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 40%.
December holds 15.1% of these deaths in MT, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 14 deaths at Butte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.5% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Butte Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
-
William F. Jordan Jun 24, 1892
-
Dennis W. Daly Jul 4, 1894
-
Frederick Kranbeck Jan 15, 1895
-
Fred A. Parlin Mar 18, 1896
-
Joseph A. Freshman
Sep 23, 1906
-
Ivan W. Lincoln Mar 30, 1915
-
James H. Pace Jul 27, 1915
-
Bart J. McCarthy Jul 22, 1916
-
William George Heaney Nov 22, 1918
-
Dennis Joseph Murphy
Feb 18, 1919
-
Joseph E. Sage Apr 8, 1925
-
Jeremiah Joseph Murphy Sep 20, 1935
-
Thomas J. O'Neill
Dec 25, 1935
-
Nicholas Aleksich Feb 28, 1937
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Butte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

