Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Powless was killed when his cruiser was struck by a tractor trailer. He had just picked up the new cruiser and was heading home. A tractor trailer heading the opposite direction blew out a tire, crossed the median, and struck the patrol car. Trooper Powless succumbed to his injuries while emergency crews attempted to extricate him from the wreckage. Trooper Powless had served with the Wisconsin State Patrol for 1 year and was assigned to District 5.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-199EE230- 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 Gary. 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.
Trooper Powless gave the Wisconsin State Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Wisconsin. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Powless.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Gary G. Powless 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 WI, 124 of 317 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 39.1% of this state's fallen. That is 8.1 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Wisconsin State Patrol, 5 of 8 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary G. Powless's cause is highlighted.
How Gary G. Powless Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Gary G. Powless is highlighted in May.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Wisconsin State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
