On January 15, 1988, Virgil Lee Bensyl, a 41-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity and a veteran officer with the Illinois State Police, was fatally shot in Oconee, Illinois. Bensyl, who had served for 19 years, was killed during an attempt to arrest Raymond Ruhl, a prison guard at Vandalia Correctional Center. Ruhl was suspected of trying to arrange a contract killing of his estranged wife.
The incident occurred when state police, along with correctional officers, set up a ruse to lure Ruhl out of his home. They informed Ruhl that drivers on Illinois Highway 51 needed help, prompting him to drive to the location. When Ruhl arrived, Officer Bensyl and his colleagues approached his car. Ruhl, armed with a 9 mm automatic handgun, opened fire on the officers. In the ensuing shootout, Bensyl was fatally wounded, and another officer, David McLearin, suffered a minor injury.
Ruhl was pronounced dead at the scene, and Bensyl succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The shootout resulted in the confiscation of a large arsenal of weapons and ammunition from Ruhl's home. The investigation revealed that Ruhl had been distraught over his wife leaving him, and he had allegedly discussed the contract killing with an inmate at the correctional facility.
The tragic death of Officer Virgil Lee Bensyl was a significant event in the history of the Illinois State Police, and his sacrifice was honored by the dedication of District 10 Headquarters in his name.
