Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Brian Pierce was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle while attempting to deploy spike strips on the McKinley Bridge during a vehicle pursuit at about 3:00 am.
Other officers from Brooklyn had started pursuing the vehicle following an incident at a local nightclub. Officer Pierce was attempting to deploy the spike strips on the bridge just prior to the state line when he was struck. The vehicle continued to flee into St. Louis, Missouri, where it was later found abandoned.
Approximately one hour later, as officers and detectives were conducting their investigation at the scene of the incident, another car drove through the police line at a high rate of speed. Officers and one of the occupants exchanged gunfire. The driver was wounded, and all four occupants were taken into custody.
The driver who struck Officer Pierce was apprehended in Missouri. He was charged with first-degree murder, failure to report a crash involving a death, reckless homicide, failure to stop after a crash involving a death, and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police. The subject was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison, plus 13 years.
Officer Pierce had served with the Brooklyn Police Department for nine months and had previously served with the Spillertown Police Department for two years. He also served with the Makanda Fire Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, two sisters, nieces, nephews, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-08FE753E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Pierce gave the Brooklyn Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brooklyn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pierce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Brian Russell Pierce, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Brooklyn Police Dept., 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brian Russell Pierce, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Brian Russell Pierce, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Life plus 13 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brian Russell Pierce, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brian Russell Pierce, Jr. was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Brooklyn Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
