Ten Springfield police officers, one deputy sheriff, six Illinois state troopers based in Springfield and a federal prohibition agent have been killed on duty in Sangamon County. The list includes:
Springfield Police Departrment
Off. David Tapscott, died Dec. 26, 1979: Auto accident
Det. Patrick Gilmore, Jan. 11, 1938: Gunfire
Det. Ernest Purgatoria., July 31, 1933: Gunfire
Det. Sgt. Porter Williams, Sept. 25, 1932: Gunfire
Off. Gordon Swettart, Feb. 3, 1924: Gunfire
Off. Noah Roll, Aug. 7, 1917: Gunfire (Note: Notwithstanding the statement on the Officers Down Memorial Page for Officer Roll, linked to here, he was not African-American. See SangamonLink’s full entry for details.)
Det. Frank Crowley, June 30, 1916: Gunfire
Off. Patrick Shaughnessy, Nov. 7, 1888: gunfire
Off. Frederick Gall, Aug. 27, 1885: Gunfire
Off. William Camp, Aug. 25, 1885: Gunfire
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office
Dep. William Simmons, March 8, 1975: Gunfire
Illinois State Police
Trpr. Brian McMillen, Oct. 28, 2007: Auto accident
Trpr. Bernard Skeeters, May 20, 1982; Auto accident
Spec. Agt. Pete Lackey, Nov. 27, 1972: Stabbing
Trpr. Clarence Swain, Aug. 1, 1959; Auto accident
Roy Moody, Feb. 28, 1949; Auto-train accident
Ray Embree, Oct. 15, 1936: Auto accident
Federal officer
Prohibition agent Thomas Langford, May 26, 1926: Shot to death while breaking up a street quarrel.
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