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Incident
Sergeant Wilford Lewis was struck by a vehicle at about 12:55 am while investigating an accident with injuries on I-57 northbound at exit 315. He was standing on the side of the road when he was struck by a driver who was distracted by the emergency equipment. Sergeant Lewis was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 am. Sergeant Lewis had served with the Bradley Police Department for 22 years and had turned 50 the day before the crash.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Lewis gave the Bradley Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bradley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Lewis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bradley Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Wilford is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Wilford is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilford is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 6 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1997, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1997, 85 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Wilford was 50. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Wilford had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilford was 50. 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. Wilford had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilford was 50. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Wilford had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 17.2%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Bradley Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Bradley Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Wilford among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bradley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
