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Gary Robert Degelman
Agency patch
Special Agent

Gary Robert Degelman

Illinois State Police — Springfield, IL
Accident
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch May 5, 1989
Age 30
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 3218
The Vigil Panel 134 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 66

Incident

Special Agent Gary Degelman died at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria from head injuries a day after he fell from a truck while on duty. Prior to joining the Illinois State Police, Agent Degelman was an officer for the Monmounth Police Department, serving as that agency's representative to the Peoria Metropolitan Enforcement Group from 1980-1981. He began his service in District 7 - Rock Island after his graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy in 1984. Two years later, Agent Degelman transferred to the Division of Criminal Investigation and successfully trained as a Special Agent. After fourteen months in Zone 7, he was assigned to the Zone 14 - Macomb Office where he served until his death. Special Agent Degelman is survived by his wife and two children.

Survivors

Special Agent Degelman is survived by his wife and two children. Special Agent Degelman was a 5 year veteran of the Illinois State Police; He is survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Degelman gave the Illinois State Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Degelman.

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

Agency

Department Illinois State Police
Type State Police
Location Springfield, Sangamon County, IL
Platform Identity ilsp.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 5, 1989
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 30
Badge Number 3218
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Gary is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1989, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Gary was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Illinois State Police has 67 officers remembered here, Gary among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Special Agent Gary Robert Degelman

Illinois State Police · End of Watch May 5, 1989

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E

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