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Incident
Sergeant Myron Deckard was shot and killed with his own weapon by a prisoner he was transporting to the jail in Danville.
Sergeant Deckard, the agency's warrant officer, had picked the man up from the Montgomery County Jail in Hillsboro, where he had been misdemeanor warrants. He was transporting him back to Vermilion County when the prisoner freed himself and reached over the back seat of the squad car. The prisoner had been restrained in handcuffs attached to a restraining belt but was able to free one hand. He forced Sergeant Deckard to drive off the side of I-72 near the Cisco exit in Macon County, and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the prisoner gained control of Sergeant Deckard's handgun and shot him twice, killing him. Sergeant Deckard's patrol car was not equipped with a cage.
After the incident, the man hitchhiked to a nearby sheriff's office and turned himself in, telling them he had just killed a deputy. A search ensued, and officers located Sergeant Deckard still in his vehicle.
In November 2002, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On January 11th, 2003, the outgoing governor granted clemency to all 167 Illinois death row inmates as one of his last acts in office. The inmate's sentence was commuted to life without parole.
In 1983, Sergeant Deckard was shot twice and wounded by a suspect he was attempting to arrest.
Sergeant Deckard had served with the Vermilion County Sheriff's Department for 32 years and had been the warrant officer for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- October 4, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Deckard gave the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Deckard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vermilion County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Myron is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Myron is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Myron is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Myron was 72. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Myron had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Myron was 72. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Myron had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Myron was 72. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Myron had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Vermilion County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.8% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Vermilion County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Myron among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vermilion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.