Virginia City Police Department, Nevada
End of Watch: Sunday, April 12, 1863
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 12, 1863
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Police Officer Dennis McMahon and Police Officer Thomas Reed were shot and killed while attempting to arrest an outlaw. The suspect shot both officers in the chest and then fled.
The suspect was arrested a short time later and was subsequently acquitted at trial. The man was later shot and killed when he attempted to shoot another man in a saloon.
The shooting of the two officers was heard by their friend, Samuel Clemens, better known as the legendary author Mark Twain. Accounts of the shootings appeared in several of Mark Twain's writings.