Incident
Police Officer Kostik and Police Officer Albert Laptak were killed when their patrol car struck a telephone pole.
Survivors
Officer Kostik had been with the agency for 15 years and was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-XTNH-WQ0S-Zearlier record number BO-US-NY-A8E45261- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Kostik gave the Yonkers Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yonkers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kostik.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Yonkers Police Department has lost 20 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 641 officers lost to accidents in NY, 30.2% of the 2,126 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 2 officers at Yonkers Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1938, 15 officers in NY were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 137 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 24.
In 1938, 89 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1938, 100 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 41. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Yonkers Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 46.3; the middle age was 40. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 41. Of the 573 lost to accidents in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Joseph was 41. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 41. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 18.2% of these deaths at Yonkers Police Department; October holds the most, 18.2%. Sundays: 27.3%.
April holds 7.2% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 16.4%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 55% of all 20 deaths at Yonkers Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.2% of all 2,126 deaths in NY, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Yonkers Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Edward Burns
Sep 5, 1904
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Dennis McElroy
Oct 25, 1916
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Wilfred Matthews Oct 29, 1916
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Edward J. Morrison
Jul 18, 1918
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Daniel Shea
Apr 6, 1926
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John Hudock
Feb 21, 1928
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Michael J. Walsh
Dec 23, 1929
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Patrick F. Whalen
Feb 23, 1934
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George J. Erling
Jun 30, 1935
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Daniel E. Quilty
Oct 15, 1936
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Joseph Kostik
Apr 17, 1938
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Albert Liptak
Apr 18, 1938
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John W. Cahill
Jan 23, 1940
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Harold L. Woods
Sep 22, 1974
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John Silinsky
Sep 30, 1982
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Anthony Maggiore
Nov 22, 2014
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Roy D. McLaughlin
Sep 10, 2015
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William J. Sullivan, Jr.
Apr 11, 2020
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Stanley J. Kasper
Jul 9, 2021
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Frank Gualdino
Dec 1, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-W
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