Roll of Honor
Leroy Gilbert
Incident
Chief of Police Leroy Gilbert was killed while he sat in a rocking chair reading a newspaper in the living room of his home at 2745 South Commercial Avenue. At 10:00 pm, at least two unknown suspects exited an automobile that they had parked at the curb near Chief Gilbert's residence on South Commerical Avenue. As their footprints in the snow later revealed, one suspect leveled a sawed-off shotgun on a side window ledge, taking aim as three charges were fired before they fled the scene. Chief Gilbert was fatally shot in the head and his wife, who was sitting on a couch, was shot in the right hand that severed a finger. Initially, two subjects who Chief Gilbert had arrested two weeks earlier for transporting 45 five-gallon cans of illegal alcohol were suspected of the shootings, but both men were in the county jail at the time. Although authorities continued to believe the motive was due to Chief Gilbert's local enforcement of illegal liquor and vice operations, the case was never solved. Chief Gilbert had served with the South Chicago Heights Police Department as chief for only six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five children, ranging from four to 13 years of age, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-44BEA0A4- 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.
Chief of Police Gilbert served with the South Chicago Heights Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the S. Chicago Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Gilbert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Leroy Gilbert 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 South Chicago Heights Police 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. Leroy Gilbert's cause is highlighted.
How Leroy Gilbert Compares
Offender Outcome
Case never solved
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leroy Gilbert is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leroy Gilbert was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from South Chicago Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
