Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Benjamin Wilcher was killed when another patrol car collided with his patrol car during a vehicle pursuit.
Both officers were involved in a high-speed pursuit of a suspect who had stolen his girlfriend's vehicle after forcing her out of the car. Patrolman Wilcher was traveling eastbound on 35th Avenue when his patrol car was broadsided by the other officer who was traveling southbound on Virginia Street. The injured officers were transported to Northlake Methodist Hospital before Patrolman Wilcher was flown to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he died during surgery.
The suspect was arrested a half-hour later after officers found him hiding in the attic at the girlfriend's house. He was charged with auto theft, carjacking, resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor battery.
Patrolman Wilcher had served with the Gary Police Department for over 1½ years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 2-year-old and 2-month-old sons, parents, sister and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-27BD8A03- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Benjamin. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Wilcher gave the Gary Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilcher.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Benjamin "BJ" Wilcher, Jr. is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IN, 151 of 503 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Gary Police Department, 5 of 15 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin "BJ" Wilcher, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin "BJ" Wilcher, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin "BJ" Wilcher, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Gary Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
