Thomas J McFadden

End of Watch: Friday, December 29, 1865

Biographical Info

Age: 23

Tour of Duty: 1 year

Rank: Patrolman

Assignment: Patrol

Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire

Date of Incident: December 29, 1865

Incident Location: 4th Street, near the Ohio River levee

Weapon Used: Rifle

Case Status: Closed

Fallen Hero Generic Website

Narrative

Patrolman McFadden and two (2) other officials were at a house in O'Neil's Alley questioning two (2) armed uniformed U.S. solders when the two (2) suddenly attempted to "run through" the patrolmen with bayonets. After missing, the soldiers quickly entered the residence. As the patrolmen demanded that the door be opened, shots were fired from inside the house. Patrolman McFadden was struck and killed instantly.

Several occupants of the house were arrested, but only one was convicted.

Private John Burdett of Company 1, 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter before a military commission on January 8, 1866. He was discharged, forfeited all pay, and sentenced to five (5) years of hard labor at Albany (NY) Penitentiary.

Patrolman McFadden is believed to have been buried in Dayton, Ohio. Patrolman McFadden was a Civil War Veteran, having served the Union as a Corporal in the 2nd Infantry Kentucky Regiment, Company H.

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