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
- Permanent identifier
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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
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Indianapolis Police Department has lost 59 officers; 19 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 2 officers at Indianapolis Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1942, 4 officers in IN were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
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.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 35. Of the 19 lost to accidents at Indianapolis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 41. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 35. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
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.
James was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 15.8% of these deaths at Indianapolis Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 15.8%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 8.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 32.2% of all 59 deaths at Indianapolis Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 15.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 2.6% of these deaths.
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.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was not available, in 1.3% of these deaths.
His people
Indianapolis Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Hugh Burns
Aug 28, 1882
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John L. Watterson
Dec 23, 1893
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Charles A. Ware
Apr 27, 1897
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Benjamin Tobias Thornton
Jun 18, 1900
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William Edward Dolby
Jul 14, 1906
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Charles J. Russell
Sep 30, 1906
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Edward J. Petticord
Oct 2, 1906
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Samuel F. Irish
Jun 7, 1909
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Joseph Krupp
Apr 19, 1910
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Arthur F. Barrows
Jun 4, 1911
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John E. McKinney
Mar 28, 1912
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Elmer C. Anderson
Jan 15, 1915
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James D. Hagerty
Jun 23, 1916
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John P. DeRossette
Jan 30, 1917
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Marion E. Ellis
Jan 23, 1918
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Wade Hull
Sep 10, 1919
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Maurice Murphy
Mar 4, 1920
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David S. Richards
Jan 3, 1922
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William Whitfield
Nov 27, 1922
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Jesse N. Louden
Jun 17, 1923
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John F. Buchanan
Jul 9, 1926
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Charles E. Carter, Jr.
May 9, 1927
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William C. Mueller
Mar 2, 1928
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Norman Leslie Schoen
Mar 6, 1928
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Paul P. Miller
Jul 18, 1928
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Roscoe C. Shipp
Jul 24, 1929
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Carl W. Heckman
Jan 3, 1931
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Lester E. Jones
Feb 7, 1933
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Orville E. Quinnette
Dec 18, 1935
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Richard Rivers
Apr 27, 1936
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Alvie C. Emmelman
May 29, 1938
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Harry A. Bolin
Aug 15, 1940
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James J. Reilly
Jan 29, 1942
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Byron Douglas Todd
Oct 9, 1942
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Marshall R. Foster
Jul 4, 1947
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Robert J. Baker
Oct 2, 1948
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Clarence G. Snorden
Jun 26, 1951
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James T. Gaughan
Sep 8, 1951
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John L. Sullivan
Jul 23, 1952
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Arthur L. Reifeis
Mar 9, 1953
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Ray Whobrey
Apr 24, 1953
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Edward H. Berry
Feb 4, 1954
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Ralph Gerald Akeman
Mar 23, 1954
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Albert A. Kelly
Dec 6, 1956
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Donald H. Kilbourne
Nov 13, 1964
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Thomas R. Graham
Oct 12, 1965
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Robert Edward Schachte
Oct 22, 1974
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Ronald H. Manley
Dec 12, 1974
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Warren Edward Greene
Dec 20, 1975
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James M. Compton, Jr.
Mar 16, 1976
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Ernest Max Lacy
May 22, 1977
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Nathan Lincks
Oct 25, 1977
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Gerald F. Griffin
Nov 6, 1979
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Jack R. Ohrberg
Dec 11, 1980
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Paul A. Kortepeter
Jan 19, 1983
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Dave LaRue Sandler
Jun 4, 1986
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Matt John Faber
Aug 23, 1988
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Teresa Jean Hawkins
Aug 17, 1993
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Timothy Jacob Laird
Aug 18, 2004
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
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