Richmond Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Thursday, July 1, 1869
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Fall
Date of Incident: July 1, 1869
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Thomas Kirkham was killed when he fell from a bridge over the James River connecting Mayo Island and Vauxhall's Island.
He was attempting to control a large crowd during a political rally when the swing-bridge suddenly collapsed, tossing many people into the river. Officer Kirkham was thrown from the bridge as well and was struck in the head by falling timber.