Incident
Patrolman First Class Gil Halma was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a possible drunk driver call. During the response, Patrolman Halma had to swerve to avoid a collision with another vehicle and struck a guardrail, causing his patrol car to flip over. Patrolman Halma was a South Carolina National Guard veteran and had served with the Cheraw Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife, parents, two sisters, and two brothers, one who is his twin. One brother also serves as a police officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, two sisters, and two brothers, one who is his twin.
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.
Patrolman First Class Halma gave the Cheraw Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cheraw community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman First Class Halma.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cheraw Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Gilbert is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Gilbert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gilbert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 2 officers in SC were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gilbert was 24. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34. Gilbert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gilbert was 24. 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. Gilbert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gilbert was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gilbert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 13.7% of these deaths in SC, more than any other month. Fridays: 20.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Cheraw Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Cheraw Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Gilbert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cheraw Police Department are honored on badge.nw.