Police Officer

Alvin C. Gillem

Oakland Police Department — Oakland, CA
Felonious
End of Watch April 12, 1917
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 32 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Alvin Gillem was struck and killed by a drunk driver on San Pablo Avenue at 16th Street. He had taken a break to attend the circus with his family and was returning to duty when the driver lost control of his vehicle and ran over him as he stood on the sidewalk. The driver was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted on July 20th, 1917. Officer Gillem had served with the Oakland Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Police Officer Gillem gave the Oakland Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Gillem.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Oakland, Alameda County, CA
Platform Identity opd.alameda.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 12, 1917
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Alvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

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

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Alvin had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Oakland Police Department has 54 officers remembered here, Alvin among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Alvin C. Gillem

Oakland Police Department · End of Watch April 12, 1917

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W

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