Roll of Honor
Donald J. Gillis
Incident
Lieutenant Donald Gillis was shot and killed while attempting to disarm a drunk and disorderly man in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in San Diego County. He was off duty and camping in the recreation area with his wife. The man had come into Lieutenant Gillis' campground after becoming separated from his hunting party. Lieutenant Gillis tried to help the man find his party but was unsuccessful. He then told the man to get into his car and sleep it off and that they would try to find the party again in the morning. The suspect then grabbed a rifle and fired into the air twice. Lieutenant Gillis grabbed the rifle and headed toward his station wagon. When he turned around to face the man again the subject grabbed a second rifle and shot him in the chest. On December 19, 1958, the 65-year-old man was convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. Lieutenant Gillis was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 20 years and was assigned to the Firestone Substation.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-24C76F54- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Donald. 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 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.
Lieutenant Gillis gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles 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
Donald J. Gillis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Lieutenant Donald J. Gillis 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept., 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald J. Gillis's cause is highlighted.
How Donald J. Gillis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald J. Gillis is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald J. Gillis was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
