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Incident
Police Officer Charles Gillin was accidentally shot and killed by another officer when he and several officers responded to a prisoner riot at the Linn County Jail in Marion, Iowa. One of Iowa's most notorious criminals, who was in jail for blowing a bank safe, threw a bottle of nitroglycerin against the wall in his cell, blowing out part of the wall. As the officers entered the jail, one officer opened fire with an automatic rifle, striking Officer Gillin and another officer as the inmate threw what he thought was another bottle of nitroglycerin at the officers. Luckily, he picked up the wrong bottle. It was later discovered that one of the inmate's gang members had smuggled three bottles of nitroglycerin to him. The inmate was convicted of numerous crimes and sentenced to 35 years in prison. On June 11th, 1913, he escaped. In 1914, he was located in California at San Quentin Prison, where he was serving a three-year sentence for burglary under an assumed name. In 1917, as the inmate was being returned to Iowa, he escaped again by jumping from the train. Several days later, he was recaptured and returned to prison in Iowa. Officer Gillin had served with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Gillin gave the Cedar Rapids Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cedar Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gillin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cedar Rapids Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 1 officer in IA was lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1913, 35 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1913, 44 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 36. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 36. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Saturdays: 9.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Cedar Rapids Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Cedar Rapids Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Cedar Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
