James J. Dayley
Agency patch
Chief of Police

James J. Dayley

Spillertown Police Department — Spillertown, IL
Felonious
End of Watch December 1, 1906
Age 27
The Vigil Panel 21 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Chief of Police James Dayley was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call involving several drunk subjects.

One of the men shot Chief Dayley in the back, killing him. The man was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison.

Chief Dayley's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 12-3-17 to remember and honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan Richton Park Police December 3rd, 2017

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-94C6FFDD
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Dayley served with the Spillertown Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Spillertown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dayley.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Spillertown, IL
Platform Identity spd.williamson.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 1, 1906
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Chief of Police James J. Dayley is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

Spillertown Police Department
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Dayley's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How James J. Dayley Compares

Age at Death
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Dayley is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Dayley was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Spillertown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.