Sergeant Gary Wayne Henderson

Gary Wayne Henderson

Sergeant Gary Henderson was struck and killed by two tires from a semitrailer while assisting at a traffic stop on eastbound I-74, near the Route 44 entrance ramp.

Sergeant Henderson responded to a call for assistance from a Shelby County deputy sheriff who had pulled over a stolen vehicle with two juvenile suspects. After arriving at the scene at 11:40 pm, Sergeant Henderson began taking photographs from outside of his patrol car.

As a passing semitrailer was changing lanes, a set of the rear dual tires and wheels disengaged from the passenger side of the trailer and struck Sergeant Henderson, killing him instantly. The driver of the semitrailer, when stopped a short distance from the scene by another officer, was unaware of what had happened.

No traffic violations were issued against the driver of the semitrailer, but he faces a deportation hearing as an illegal immigrant. The 13- and 14-year-old male juveniles have been charged with being runaways and with auto theft.

Sergeant Henderson had served with the Shelbyville Police Department as a police officer for 29 years and as a parking enforcement officer for four years. He was survived by his wife, son, parents and three sisters. His son went on to serve as a police officer with the department.