Roll of Honor
Dillard M. Zachary
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun; .32 caliber Offender: Shot and killed
Special Agent Dillard Zachary was shot and killed near Springfield, Illinois, after he and another special agent arrested two men who were stealing coal from a freight train at approximately 2:45 am.
The train had stopped southeast of Springfield due to a train crash on the tracks several miles ahead. Agent Zachary and the other agent were patrolling along the stopped train when they discovered a pile of coal that had been removed from the train.
They concealed themselves nearby and waited until a truck pulled up and started loading the coal. They identified themselves and arrested the two men. Agent Zachary and one subject got into the back of the truck while the other agent and prisoner got into the cab in order to drive to the jail. The man in the back suddenly produced a .32 caliber handgun and shot Agent Zachary, fatally wounding him. The subject fled the scene on foot.
The man was located approximately three months later at his father's home. He was shot and killed by a posse when he attempted to flee and pulled out the same handgun that he had used to murder Special Agent Zachary.
Special Agent Zachary had served with the Chicago and Illinois Midland Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-RR-344021B9- Stewardship
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- 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.
Special Agent Zachary gave the Chicago and Illinois Midland Railroad Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Zachary.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Dillard M. Zachary 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dillard M. Zachary's cause is highlighted.
How Dillard M. Zachary Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dillard M. Zachary is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dillard M. Zachary was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.