Roll of Honor
Victor C. Benner
Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Handgun Offender: Never prosecuted
Special Policeman Victor Benner and Deputy Marshal Dillaway, of the United States Marshals Service, were shot and killed while riding on a switch engine in Memphis, Tennessee.
The two officers, along with another deputy marshal were traveling south from the McLemore Yards to the Nonconnah Yards. When the engine reached Horn Lake Road it stopped so the conductor could throw a switch in the track.
Several other railroad guards were near the scene and had been drinking. They saw the three men on the switch engine, and believing they were trespassers, opened fire. Special Policeman Benner was struck in the neck and killed instantly. The two deputy marshals returned fire, wounding two of the guards before Deputy Marshal Dillaway was struck in the chest. He succumbed to his wounds seven days later.
None of the drunk guards were prosecuted for either murder.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-5B684185- Stewardship
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- 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.
Special Policeman Benner served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Policeman Benner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Policeman Victor C. Benner 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%.
At Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, 10 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Victor C. Benner's cause is highlighted.
How Victor C. Benner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Victor C. Benner is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Victor C. Benner was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
