Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Norman Gray was shot and killed by one of two robbery suspects he arrested on S.W. Washington Street. The two had committed 16 hold-ups in one night. As he was waiting for a patrol wagon one produced a pistol and shot him in the head. The 21-year-old killer was arrested and sentenced to life. He escaped from prison on May 16, 1924.
Survivors
Officer Gray was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-7901291A- 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.
Officer Gray served with the Peoria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Gray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Norman Gray 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 Peoria Police Dept., 9 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Norman Gray's cause is highlighted.
How Norman Gray Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Norman Gray is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Norman Gray was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Peoria Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
