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Incident
Officer Jeremy Hubbard was killed during a pursuit of a pickup truck whose driver was suspected of diesel gas theft at 6:40 pm from a service station in Staunton in Macoupin County.
After Benld and Gillespie police officers had both terminated their pursuits, Officer Hubbard observed the vehicle without license plates traveling on North First Street at 8:00 pm and attempted to make a traffic stop. Officer Hubbard pursued the vehicle about 15 miles when his patrol car went out of control and overturned in a cornfield on Illinois Route 128, a mile south of U.S. 40, near Altamont in Effingham County.
Officer Hubbard had been ejected from the patrol car and was airlifted to Greenville Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An officer trainee, who was riding with Officer Hubbard, was injured but survived.
The suspect fled the scene and surrendered three days later to the Howard County, Maryland, Police Department. He refused to tell officers why he was turning himself in, but investigators were able to link him to the pursuit. He was extradited to Illinois and charged with reckless homicide and three counts of aggravated fleeing a police officer.
Officer Hubbard had served with the Cowden Police Department as one of its two part-time officers for four years and also served as a part-time deputy with the Effingham County Sheriff's Department for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 8- and 13-year-old sons, sister, mother and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Hubbard gave the Cowden Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cowden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hubbard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Jeremy is the only officer of Cowden Police Department remembered here.
Jeremy is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Jeremy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeremy is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 79 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jeremy was 34. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Jeremy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeremy was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Jeremy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeremy was 34. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jeremy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cowden Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 7.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Cowden Police Department are honored on badge.nw.