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Incident
Officer Terry Emerick was killed in an accident near the 57-mile marker west of Vandalia on Interstate 70 in Fayette County. Officer Emerick had stopped a semitrailer on the shoulder of the roadway when his patrol car was struck by another semitrailer, causing fatal injuries. Officer Emerick had served with the Illinois Commerce Commission Police for over two years. He had previously served with the Hillsboro Police Department for two years and as a deputy and probation officer in Fayette County. Officer Emerick was survived by his wife and 3-month-old son. In 2007, a portion of Illinois Route 185 between Hillsboro and Vandalia in Montgomery County was designated the Officer Terry J. Emerick Memorial Highway in his honor.
Survivors
Officer Emerick was survived by his wife and 3-month-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Emerick gave the Illinois Commerce Commission Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Emerick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Terry is the only officer of Illinois Commerce Commission Police remembered here.
Terry is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Terry is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Terry 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 1994, 2 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Terry was 29. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Terry had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Terry was 29. 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. Terry had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Terry was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Terry had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Illinois Commerce Commission Police.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Illinois Commerce Commission Police are honored on badge.nw.