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Incident
Officer Humphrey Symons was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance. He was walking passed a house when he heard a commotion inside. When he entered the house the male subject immediately shot him in the head. After Officer Symons fell, the suspect shot him in the head several more times. The suspect attempted to shoot the town marshal as well when the marshal arrived, but was shot in the arm and taken into custody.
The suspect was convicted of Officer Symons' murder and sentenced to death in December of 1879. He was to be hanged on January 16, 1880, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison.
Officer Symons was survived by his expectant wife and one child and is buried in the Masonic Section of Gold Hill Cemerty, Gold Hill, Storey County, Nevada.
Survivors
Officer Symons was survived by his expectant wife and one child and is buried in the Masonic Section of Gold Hill Cemerty, Gold Hill, Storey County, Nevada.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
147 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Symons served with the Gold Hill Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gold Hill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Humphrey is the only officer of Gold Hill Police Department remembered here.
Humphrey is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 remembered there.
Humphrey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Humphrey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1879, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1879, 37 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1879, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Humphrey was 35. Of the 70 killed feloniously in NV whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Humphrey was 35. 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.
Humphrey was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 4.9% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Mondays: 11%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Gold Hill Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.2% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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