Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman William R. Gilham

DeQueen Police Department, Arkansas

End of Watch Thursday, July 5, 1984

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Patrolman William R. Gilham

Will always be remembered.

First Sergeant Thomas M. Webb (Retired)
New York State Police - Troop D

July 6, 2023

Missing you today and always. I wonder what life would have been with you here all these years. All you ever wanted to be was a cop. I will see you again. Love you.
Your little Sis.

Linda Gilham-Elmore
Sister

July 5, 2021

Patrolman William Gilham will never be forgotten; RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

October 11, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered and honored. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 5, 2020

just stopping by to say hello and that I am thinking about you today.

Cindy May

June 20, 2020

Patrolman Gilham,
On today, the 34th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Officers who were also killed in that accident for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of DeQueen. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 5, 2018

I am Remembering you, Bill and all my other Law Enforcement friends, brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement and the families of each of you that departed or were taken from our brotherhood. I am retired now, body intact but worn out as is the old mind and memory. I review and reflect back on the job and all of my friends and family that are not physically with us anymore. You will remain a part of many, many lives that you touched, changed or protected during your service to your family, friends, departments and the citizens of your city, county and or state. Your still live in those changed lives and all of our Memories.. Thank-You..

Captain (Retired) Paul "Steve" Watson
DeQueen Arkansas Police Dept. (and Others)

February 8, 2018

We appreciate all you and your fellow officers did to protect Arkansas. God bless all of you

Special Agent-in-Charge Diane Upchurch
FBI - Little Rock

July 5, 2017

Hey Bill, We are thinking and talking about you. You are Remembered.

Captain Paul "Steve" Watson (Retired) DeQueen AR. Police Department
Jacksonville AR. PD, Ashdown AR. PD, Foreman AR. City Marshall, DeQueen AR. PD

February 3, 2017

You are missed

---

July 21, 2016

Remembering you today. This will be the first anniversary of your death that mom will not have to suffer- happy she is with you today. Miss you so much.

Linda Gilham-Elmore
Sister

July 4, 2016

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 13, 2015

Remembering you today. Miss you so much. Love you.

Linda Gilham
Sister

July 5, 2015

Bill was the love of my life. He loved me and my little boys. He loved his family. I will always be, forever, grateful for him. Bill changed our lives. To this day, I think that the boys model themselves after him. I think about him every single day. It is hard to let myself remember him because of the accident that I witnessed...but, I do. I just loved him, so much.
Bill changed my life. He reminded me everyday that we were so special.

Brenda Gilham Gassaway
Wife

August 16, 2014

Thinking of you today Bill. I really miss you. You were such a good big brother. You really left your mark on so many people. You made a difference.

Linda
Sister

July 5, 2014

My fondest memory of uncle Bill was his smile and how he always had a silver half dollar piece for me. Our family thinks of him often. This, the 30th anniversary of his death, is a day to reflect.

Karen Westcamp-Johnson
Niece

July 5, 2014

30 years ago today. We still remember you and think about you everyday. Rest in Peace.

Matthew
Son

July 5, 2014

I remember the many ride alongs while I was in high school in DeQueen. That really sealed my fate as far as what I was going to do for a career. I started in law enforcemnt the month you died and am still on duty today. I remember having to get out of your patrol car so you could join the chase of the guy that killed Trooper Bryant just outside of town. I never thought that would be the last time I would see you. I was absolutely devastated about your death a few days later. Just wanted to say thanks for taking up time with a teenager and helping point me in the right direction.

Captain Ron Rice
Taylor County Sheriff's Office Florida

May 23, 2014

Cousin Billy-I often think of you-especially as summer draws close to the 4th of July. I remember a tall skinny teenager bugging every adult in site trying to get them to take you to buy fireworks! I've never known another person who loved fireworks as much as you did. Next month here in Texas, we will be having a fund raiser for COPS. I will be putting up your picture and I am volunteering for this event in your honor. May God keep you in His tender loving care-cousin Pam

Pam Hilton
cousin

April 28, 2014

Thinking of you today. Sure miss you!! I know that you are with me every single day. You were an awesome brother!! I love you. Your 'Silly little Sis'.

Reminders to anyone reading this...YOUR CHOICES COUNT! Bill was killed by a drunk driver. Please think before you drink. In Bill's name, I have spent all these years doing what I could to help prevent this senseless killing.

Linda Gilham-Elmore

July 5, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

December 29, 2012

Bill was my husband. When we met, I was a single mom with 4 little boys. I never thought that my life would change, but Bill was our miracle. He loved "his boys". He loved being a daddy. He adored his family. About a week before he died, he picked his mother up and and danced around with her in his arms. He teased his dad about the family resemblance of his ears. He always talked about his sisters, Debbie and Linda. He was so proud of them. Allan, his brother, was also very loved. Bill would tell me that he felt bad that Allen was not allowed to sit in the front seat when Bill got his drivers license. He was a great brother uncle and son to all of his family. When I fell in love with Bill, I remember thinking that this is what other people had, not me. I adored him. I was so in love with Bill that I always felt like we were still on our honeymoon. When he was killed, the boys and I were devastated. The house felt empty. I continued to set the table for 6 people. I wondered if I would ever have a day without crying. Our sons are grown now and are wonderful dads. We still talk about Bill all the time. A day never goes by that I don't think of him. He was born to be a police officer. He had such a presence when he came into a room in uniform. Being with him made me feel safe. I will always miss him. I remarried the most wonderful man. He sat with me day after day crying and grieving and so full of sadness. He is a remarkable, modest man who took a family in ruins and put us all back together. I am grateful for Bill who showed me a better life and for my Joe who made it happen.

Brenda Gilham Gassaway
Widow

August 13, 2012

I just discovered this page, and I'm reading all of the comments about my uncle. I was only 9 when he was killed, and the tragedy rocked my closely knit family. My mom was his sister. Mom passed away 33 days ago, so I know she is reunited with Bill in heaven after having missed her brother for over 26 years. To everyone who has left comments and rembrances, thank you. His mother (my grandma) is still alive, as are one brother and sister. We all gather at my grandma's every week. To any of you who were good friends with Bill or the Gilham family, if you want to contact us, feel free to find me on Facebook.

Carol Westcamp

Carol Westcamp
Bill's neice

May 18, 2011

Today, Mom gave me the ring that you gave to her when you proposed. She even had the same ring box that you used. I am going to put it on my girlfriends finger tomorrow when I ask her to marry me. Happy Birthday Daddy Bill.

Anonymous

August 13, 2010

Rest with God

Capt. Lloyd Franklin
AR State Police

July 5, 2009

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.