Sergeant Gary Henderson was struck and killed by two semitrailer tires while assisting at a traffic stop on Interstate 74 eastbound near the State Road 44 entrance ramp.

   He had 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, 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 34-year-old driver of the semitrailer, but he faced a deportation hearing as an illegal immigrant. The 13- and 14-year-old males were charged with being runaways and auto theft.

   Sergeant Henderson was survived by his wife, son, parents and three sisters. His son went on to serve as a police officer with the department.