Illinois State Police, Illinois
End of Watch: Thursday, March 18, 1976
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 18, 1976
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 100+ years
Trooper Layton Davis was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on I-57 near Effingham.
Unbeknownst to him, the vehicle contained two escaped convicts. During the stop, one of the escapees slipped a .357 caliber revolver into his waistband. As Trooper Davis frisked him, he spotted the revolver, and a struggle ensued. The second man ran up and held Trooper Davis down as the other man shot him. Both escapees were apprehended and sentenced to 100+ years in prison. In 2020, the accomplice was released on parole. In 2022, the gunman was released on medical parole.
Trooper Davis was a United States WWII veteran and had served with the Illinois State Police for 19 years, assigned to District 12. He is survived by his wife and three children.