James J. Reilly
Agency patch
Motorcycle Policeman

James J. Reilly

Indianapolis Police Department — Indianapolis, IN
Accident
End of Watch January 29, 1942
Age 35
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Badge 8
The Vigil Panel 78 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Motorcycle Policeman James Reilly was killed in a motorcycle accident while chasing a violator on West Washington Street. The accident occurred as Policeman Reilly was attempting to pass a vehicle going in the same direction that began to make a left turn as he was pursuing a speeding vehicle. Policeman Reilly's motorcycle struck the rear bumper of the turning vehicle and the impact threw him and his motorcycle into the path of an oncoming vehicle, killing him instantly. Policeman Reilly had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother, two sisters and three brothers, one of whom is also a member of the department.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Motorcycle Policeman Reilly gave the Indianapolis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Motorcycle Policeman Reilly.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Indianapolis, Marion County, IN
Platform Identity ipd.marion.in.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 29, 1942
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 35
Badge Number 8
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Not available

The Sacrifice · Accident

James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 35. 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. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.6% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Indianapolis Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years

Motorcycle Policeman James J. Reilly

Indianapolis Police Department · End of Watch January 29, 1942

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E

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