On a fall evening in 1998, a police chase that began with a report of an erratic driver on Interstate 95 escalated into a tragic event that claimed the life of a veteran officer. Thomas Francis 'Mongo' McMahon, a 46-year-old male officer with the Richmond Police Department, was fatally shot on October 14, 1998, after joining a pursuit of a suspect.
The chase, initiated by a Henrico County police officer, weaved through a shopping center before the suspect's truck was finally stopped near the intersection of 26th and S streets in Richmond.
Before Officer McMahon could even exit his patrol car, the suspect opened fire from inside his own vehicle. McMahon was struck multiple times in the upper body, abdomen, and arm. Despite wearing a protective vest, one of the bullets tragically found its way to his femoral artery, causing a fatal hemorrhage. He had served with the Richmond Police Department for 20 years and was a veteran of the United States Army.
Following the shooting of McMahon, the suspect engaged in a prolonged standoff with other officers at the scene. After several hours, the man once again opened fire on the police. Officers returned fire, and the suspect was fatally wounded, bringing the tense and tragic encounter to a close. The man who shot Officer McMahon was killed at the scene by police, and therefore no arrests were made in connection with the officer's death.
