Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Herbert Gillis and Special Policeman Charles Pelton were killed in a motorcycle crash when their motorcycle struck a Halloween barricade that had been placed on Butrick Street. After receiving notice of an incident on Butrick Street, the two officers went to investigate. An oncoming vehicle's lights prevented Patrolman Gillis from seeing that a piece of timber had been placed in the roadway. Their motorcycle struck the 10-foot long 4x6-inch plank stretched across the road. The motorcycle and sidecar hit the plank and swerved into an oncoming car. Both officers were thrown from the motorcycle and sidecar and suffered skull fractures. Special Policeman Pelton died instantly, and Patrolman Gillis was taken to the hospital, where he subsequently died at 12:30 am. It was later discovered that seven teenagers were responsible for putting the plank in the roadway. All seven were arrested. Patrolman Gillis was a United States Army WWI veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two infant children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-8E55277F- 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 Herbert. 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.
Patrolman Gillis served with the Waukegan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Waukegan 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
Herbert Hamilton Gillis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Herbert Hamilton Gillis is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 4.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Waukegan Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herbert Hamilton Gillis's cause is highlighted.
How Herbert Hamilton Gillis Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Herbert Hamilton Gillis is highlighted in Nov.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Waukegan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
