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Incident
Patrolman William Gilham, Captain William Mills, Patrolman Herman Jones, and Sergeant Roy Brewer were all killed in a head-on automobile crash while en route to attend the funeral of Trooper Louis Bryant of the Arkansas State Police. Trooper Bryant had been shot and killed in the line of duty six days earlier. Patrolman Gilham had served with the DeQueen Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four stepsons.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Patrolman Gilham gave the DeQueen Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the DeQueen community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gilham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
DeQueen Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1984, 4 officers in AR were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 25. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 25. 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. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 25. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13% of these deaths in AR, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at DeQueen Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, 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.
His people
DeQueen Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from DeQueen Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
