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Incident
Sergeant Raymond Espinoza was shot and killed by a man during an armed robbery attempt of a drive-in theater at 6016 Illinois 116. The 27-year-old man was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 99 to 175 years in prison on January 25th, 1971. In 2017 a circuit court judge awarded him a new trial and he was released after posting bond. Ten months later on March 24, 2018, he was found dead in his Peoria apartment. No foul play was suspected. Sergeant Espinoza had served with the Peoria County Sheriff's Department for five years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Espinoza gave the Peoria County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Espinoza.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Peoria County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Raymond is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 12 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Raymond was 42. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Peoria County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Peoria County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Raymond among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Peoria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
