Bloomington Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 19, 1986
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 10, 1986
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 40 years
Patrolman Billy Osborn was shot and killed with his own weapon which was taken from him by a prisoner at 2:00 am.
Patrolman Osborn had entered the jail cells at the station and was walking past a cell when an inmate reached through the bars and grabbed his weapon from its holster. In the fight to get the weapon back it discharged, striking Patrolman Osborn in the neck. The prisoner was found guilty but mentally ill and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Patrolman Osborn had served with the Bloomington Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and children.