Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Gilliam and Assistant Chief William Evans were shot and killed by the father of a man they had just arrested. The father came to the police station and demanded that the son be released. When the officers refused to release the son the father left and obtained a gun. The man returned to the police station and shot both officers, mortally wounding them. The officers were able to return fire and killed the suspect.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-A8908647- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 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 Gilliam served with the Whitmire Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Whitmire community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Gilliam.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Robert Rion Gilliam is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Whitmire Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Rion Gilliam's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Rion Gilliam Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Rion Gilliam is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Rion Gilliam was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Whitmire Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
