Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch: Thursday, March 31, 1938
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 31, 1938
Weapon Used: Rifle; Winchester
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Special Officer Owen McManus was shot and killed during a shootout with the a suspect at Elvas Tower, at the end of Lanatt Street in Sacramento, California. He and his partner were checking freight cars when a passenger train came through and separated the two for a few minutes.
While the two were separated a man approached his partner and pressed a Winchester rifle into his stomach. When the passenger train cleared the area Officer McManus observed the situation. The suspect turned and fired at Officer McManus, striking him in the stomach. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer McManus returned fire and killed the suspect.
Officer McManus had served with the Southern Pacific Railroad Police for 10 years. He was survived by his wife and son.