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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Doc Lanham suffered a fatal heart attack after the conclusion of a high-speed pursuit on Illinois Route 9 about 15 miles east of Bloomington.
He and another deputy were assisting two Gibson City police officers who had been pursuing a vehicle at a high rate of speed in a heavy rain as they approached Arrowsmith. The other deputy fired his pistol and shotgun at the fleeing vehicle before its driver stopped near Cooksville. Deputy Lanham collapsed just after the driver had been placed under arrest. He was transported to Mennonite Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The juvenile suspect, who was on probation, was charged with reckless driving, driving without a license, fleeing police, and a curfew violation.
Deputy Lanham had served with the McLean County Sheriff's Office for 1½ years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, four daughters, 15 grandchildren, great-grandchild, mother, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Lanham gave the McLean County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Lanham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
McLean County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Clarence is one of 45 officers lost to cardiac events in IL, 3.4% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 1 officer in IL was lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 3.
In 1967, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1967, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Clarence was 60. Of the 45 lost to cardiac events in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54; the middle age was 51. Clarence had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Clarence was 60. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Clarence had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Clarence was 60. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Clarence had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; March holds the most, 15.6%. Thursdays: 17.8%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at McLean County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.4% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.5% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.5% of these deaths.
His people
McLean County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from McLean County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
