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Thomas Odean Gillilan
Incident
Corporal Gillilan was shot when a man he had stopped for speeding on U.S. 331 south in Crenshaw County, overpowered him, took his pistol, and shot him. He died three days later at a Montgomery hospital. The 22-year-old suspect was apprehended, convicted of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. He was denied parole on July 25, 1990.
Survivors
Corporal Gillilan, who had served in the Korean War, was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Corporal Gillilan gave the Alabama Department of Public Safety 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama, 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
Thomas Odean Gillilan served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alabama Department of Public Safety has lost 29 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer at Alabama Department of Public Safety was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1970, 2 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 38. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Alabama Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 40; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Thomas was 38. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety; April holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
July holds 7.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 24.1% of all 29 deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Alabama Department of Public Safety has 29 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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William Maury Young
Sep 5, 1936
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William D. Raiford, Sr.
Oct 16, 1937
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Arvil O. Hudson
May 18, 1952
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Henry Preston Bryant
Dec 7, 1952
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Julian F. Draughon
Oct 3, 1953
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Howard Milford Brock Nov 8, 1957
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Joe F. Partin Jul 25, 1960
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Anthony Scozzaro
Dec 13, 1961
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Thomas Estes Maxwell Oct 4, 1962
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Raymond M. Carlton, Sr.
Feb 27, 1965
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Randolph G. Glover Jul 19, 1967
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Brooks D. Lawson Jul 31, 1969
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Thomas Odean Gillilan Jul 1, 1970
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Harlan B. Blake Oct 10, 1970
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Ormand Franklin Watkins Apr 11, 1971
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Riley Delano Smith
Dec 17, 1971
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James Buford Robinson
Dec 10, 1972
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Bobby S. Gann
Feb 21, 1974
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Kenyon M. Lassiter
Apr 19, 1974
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Julian Douglas Stuckey
Jun 27, 1974
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Johnnie Earl Booker
Nov 2, 1978
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David E. Temple
Sep 13, 1979
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Simmie L. Jeffries
Dec 21, 1984
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Larry D. Cawyer
May 25, 1985
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Elizabeth S. Cobb
Oct 11, 1987
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Robert William Jones
Nov 3, 1991
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Willis Von Moore
Feb 26, 1996
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Brian Keith Nichols
Feb 17, 2002
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Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II
Jun 16, 2008
Military Service
Thomas Odean Gillilan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas Odean Gillilan’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 24-E
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from Alabama Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
