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

Bill Gill was the love of my life and the father of my four sons. He was remarkable. He changed my life from the moment he entered it. My life is forever changed because of him. I will never stop missing him. I will never forget him. The boys always talk about him and how much he meant to our lives. He was taken too soon. I sometimes think that I will live my life with the regret of losing him. Rest in peace, Bill. You are never forgotten and always loved.

Wife right?
DeQueen police department

August 6, 2025

Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Minister Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM
Ordained/Licensed Independent NACM Minister
The I'M PRAYING MINISTRY - "An Intercessory Prayer Ministry"
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 4, 2025

Patrolman Gilham,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of DeQueen. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

July 5, 2024

Patrolman William R. Gilham is in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to honor his by remembering him with our reflections.

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

June 27, 2024

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

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