Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Layton Davis was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on I-57 near Effingham. Unbeknownst to him, the vehicle contained two escaped convicts. During the stop, one of the escapees slipped a .357 caliber revolver into his waistband. As Trooper Davis frisked him, he spotted the revolver, and a struggle ensued. The second man ran up and held Trooper Davis down as the other man shot him. Both escapees were apprehended and sentenced to 100+ years in prison. In 2020, the accomplice was released on parole. In 2022, the gunman was released on medical parole. Trooper Davis was a United States WWII veteran and had served with the Illinois State Police for 19 years, assigned to District 12.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-A6F9EC3F- 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 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.
Trooper Davis gave the Illinois State Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois, 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
Layton T. Davis served in the Army (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Trooper Layton T. Davis 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 Illinois State Police, 17 of 67 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Layton T. Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Layton T. Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 100+ years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Layton T. Davis is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Layton T. Davis was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
66 officers from Illinois State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
