On September 21, 1988 at approximately 7:30 pm, Trooper Robert J. Kolilis was struck and fatally injured by a pickup truck on Missouri Route M in Washington County near Irondale, Missouri.

Two vehicles were stopped along the two lane road with one vehicle parked approximately two feet into the traveled portion of the road. Tpr. Kolilis apparently stopped to render assistance or to determine why the vehicle was parked partially on the roadway. The drivers of both vehicles were standing in the roadway to the left of the patrol car, which was stopped in the eastbound lane of Route M. Tpr. Kolilis had exited the patrol car and was standing at or near the center of the roadway. The patrol car's headlights were on. A pickup truck, driven by a 16-year-old male, was traveling westbound and did not see Trooper Kolilis standing in the roadway. The pickup truck's left front fender struck Trooper Kolilis. Trooper Kolilis was taken to Washington County Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries at 9:30 p.m.

Trooper Robert J. Kolilis, 24, was the 16th member of the Patrol to die in the line of duty. He had served with the agency for one year, graduating from the academy in December 1987. He was survived by his wife and parents. Interred: Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia.