James J. Reilly

Indianapolis Police Dept. — Indianapolis, IN

Accident

End of Watch January 29, 1942

Age 35

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Badge 8

The Vigil Panel 78 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 58

Incident

Motorcycle Policeman James Reilly was killed in a motorcycle accident while chasing a violator on West Washington Street. The accident occurred as Policeman Reilly was attempting to pass a vehicle going in the same direction that began to make a left turn as he was pursuing a speeding vehicle. Policeman Reilly's motorcycle struck the rear bumper of the turning vehicle and the impact threw him and his motorcycle into the path of an oncoming vehicle, killing him instantly. Policeman Reilly had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother, two sisters and three brothers, one of whom is also a member of the department.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IN-2CC40F36
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.
Motorcycle Policeman Reilly gave the Indianapolis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Motorcycle Policeman Reilly.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Indianapolis Police Dept.

Location Indianapolis, IN

Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 29, 1942

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Age 35

Badge Number 8

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Weapon Not available

Offender Not available

Motorcycle Policeman James J. Reilly 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 Indianapolis Police Dept., 19 of 59 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 32.2% of this agency's fallen.

Indianapolis Police Dept.

of 59 officers

32.2% Accident

IN — Statewide

151

of 503 officers

30% Accident

Nationwide

10,088

of 32,508 officers

31% Accident