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Incident
Patrolman Herbert Gillis and Special Policeman Charles Pelton were killed in a motorcycle crash when their motorcycle struck a Halloween barricade that had been placed on Butrick Street. After receiving notice of an incident on Butrick Street, the two officers went to investigate. An oncoming vehicle's lights prevented Patrolman Gillis from seeing that a piece of timber had been placed in the roadway. Their motorcycle struck the 10-foot long 4x6-inch plank stretched across the road. The motorcycle and sidecar hit the plank and swerved into an oncoming car. Both officers were thrown from the motorcycle and sidecar and suffered skull fractures. Special Policeman Pelton died instantly, and Patrolman Gillis was taken to the hospital, where he subsequently died at 12:30 am. It was later discovered that seven teenagers were responsible for putting the plank in the roadway. All seven were arrested. Patrolman Gillis was a United States Army WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two infant children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Gillis served with the Waukegan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Waukegan community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Herbert Hamilton Gillis served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Waukegan Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Herbert is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Herbert is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Herbert 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 1924, 7 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1924, 86 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1924, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Herbert was 25. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37.
Herbert was 25. 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.
Herbert was 25. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 11.9%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Waukegan Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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
Waukegan Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Herbert among them.
Where
Military Service
Herbert Hamilton Gillis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Herbert Hamilton Gillis’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Waukegan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
