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Police Officer Thomas Reed | Virginia City Police Department, Nevada
Virginia City Police Department, Nevada

Police Officer

Thomas Reed

Virginia City Police Department, Nevada

End of Watch: Sunday, April 12, 1863

Biographical Info

Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 12, 1863
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Acquitted

Police Officer Thomas Reed and Police Officer Dennis McMahon 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.