Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Thadeaus Gillis was shot and killed as he remonstrated with two intoxicated men for using profane language in the Hyman Mercantile, on Robb Street, at about 1:30 pm.
As one of the men slapped him in the face, the other picked up a shotgun on a counter and shot him in the back of the head, causing instant death. Both were arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. The 25-year-old killer, from a prominent family, was pardoned by Governor James K. Vardaman on January 22, 1908.
Marshal Gillis was a Confederate Army veteran of the Civil War, having served with the 22nd Mississippi Infantry, Company E. In 1863 he was captured while carrying dispatches during the siege of Vicksburg. He had served with the Summit Police Department for 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-9BF85076- 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.
Marshal Gillis gave the Summit Police Department 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Summit community. Thank you 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
Thadeaus Benton Gillis served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Marshal Thadeaus Benton 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Summit Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thadeaus Benton Gillis's cause is highlighted.
How Thadeaus Benton Gillis Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1908
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thadeaus Benton Gillis is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thadeaus Benton Gillis was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Summit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
