Prev
Incident
Motor Officer Lawrence Sills died from injuries received in a motorcycle crash while pursuing a suspect vehicle. He was monitoring traffic at the intersection of East Street and Main Street when he observed a vehicle that failed to stop at the intersection. As he proceeded to pull out to stop the car the wind blew his hat off. He lost control of his motorcycle as he reached for the hat. He suffered a fractured skull and remained unconscious until he passed away on June 13th, 1945. Officer Sills was born in College City and had graduated from Yuba College in Marysville before joining the Woodland Police Department.
Survivors
Officer Sills was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnb8qnw4yymr656dz0jv- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Lawrence. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Motor Officer Sills gave the Woodland Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Woodland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Motor Officer Sills.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lawrence is the only officer of Woodland Police Department remembered here.
Lawrence is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Lawrence is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lawrence 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 1945, 11 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1945, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1945, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lawrence was 33. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Lawrence had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lawrence was 33. 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. Lawrence had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lawrence was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lawrence had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Woodland Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Woodland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.