Roll of Honor
James Robert "Bud" Allison
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bud Allison was shot and killed during a gun battle with Ku Klux Klan members outside an automobile garage in Herrin, Illinois.
Deputy Allison, two deputies, and their sheriff were attempting to seize an automobile, used for hauling bootleg liquor, from a local garage that also served as the headquarters for the local Ku Klux Klan. Feeling was running high after the acquittal of two men for the murder of a local klansman. As the officers entered the garage, gunfire erupted. Deputy Allison, four klansmen, and an innocent bystander were killed.
Deputy Allison had served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Department for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-BDB72F73- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Allison served with the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marion community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Allison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James Robert "Bud" Allison 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 Williamson County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Robert "Bud" Allison's cause is highlighted.
How James Robert "Bud" Allison Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Robert "Bud" Allison is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Robert "Bud" Allison was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Williamson County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
