Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, California
End of Watch: Saturday, September 20, 1958
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 20, 1958
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Lieutenant Donald Gillis was shot and killed while attempting to disarm a drunk and disorderly man in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in San Diego County.
He was off duty and camping in the recreation area with his wife. The man had come into Lieutenant Gillis' campground after becoming separated from his hunting party. Lieutenant Gillis tried to help the man find his party but was unsuccessful. He then told the man to get into his car and sleep it off and that they would try to find the party again in the morning.
The suspect then grabbed a rifle and fired into the air twice. Lieutenant Gillis grabbed the rifle and headed toward his station wagon. When he turned around to face the man again the subject grabbed a second rifle and shot him in the chest.
On December 19, 1958, the 65-year-old man was convicted of murder, and sentenced to life.
Lieutenant Gillis was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 20 years and was assigned to the Firestone Substation. He was survived by his wife.