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Incident
Sergeant Gary Henderson was struck and killed by two tires from a semitrailer while assisting at a traffic stop on eastbound I-74 near the Route 44 entrance ramp.
Sergeant Henderson responded to a call for assistance from a Shelby County deputy sheriff who had pulled over a stolen vehicle with two juvenile suspects. After arriving at the scene at 11:40 pm, Sergeant Henderson began taking photographs from outside of his patrol car.
As a passing semitrailer was changing lanes, a set of rear dual tires and wheels disengaged from the passenger side of the trailer and struck Sergeant Henderson, killing him instantly. The driver of the semitrailer, when stopped a short distance from the scene by another officer, was unaware of what had happened.
No traffic violations were issued against the driver of the semitrailer, but he faces a deportation hearing as an illegal immigrant. The 13- and 14-year-old male juveniles have been charged with being runaways and with auto theft.
Sergeant Henderson had served with the Shelbyville Police Department as a police officer for 29 years and as a parking enforcement officer for four years. He was survived by his wife, son, parents, and three sisters. His son went on to serve as a police officer with the department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, parents, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
33 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Henderson gave the Shelbyville Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Shelbyville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Henderson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gary is the only officer of Shelbyville Police Department remembered here.
Gary is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Gary is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gary is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 3 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 2007, 94 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2007, 103 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gary was 51. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Gary was 51. 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. Gary had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gary had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Shelbyville Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Shelbyville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.