Madison County Sheriff's Office, Illinois
End of Watch Thursday, December 30, 1976
Add to My HeroesJames Robert Abel
Deputy Sheriff James Abel was killed in an automobile crash while responding to an officer needs assistance call.
His vehicle struck a patch of ice on Chain of Rocks Road, near Maryville Road, and struck a utility pole. His patrol car caught fire as a result of the impact and Deputy Abel was killed.
Deputy Abel had served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office for only three months and was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, daughter, two grandchildren, and parents.
Bio
- Age 23
- Tour 3 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Automobile crash
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsRest in peace Deputy Sheriff Abel.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026


