Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant James Kouski was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating a prior DUI-related crash at about 3:00 am.
He was standing on the side of South Pulaski Road, near the intersection of 91st Street, when he was struck.
The driver of the car that struck him fled the scene but was arrested later in the day. He was sentenced to ten years for reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, causing an accident or death.
Lieutenant Kouski had served with the Hometown Police Department for 34 years.
Can’t believe it’s been 4.5 years already. I drove past Hometown PD today for the first time in ages. I remember vividly standing and saluting your procession as it drove past Hometown PD. I still remember working some nights as the Hometown PD dispatcher (while working part-time at Hickory Hills PD dispatch) and speaking with you on the phone (“Hey Hickory, it’s Hometown 410, Lt. Kouski”). Rest in Peace Sir, you’re never forgotten.
Deputy Director Eric Burmeister Addison Consolidated Dispatch Center October 19th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6FAA1884- Stewardship
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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
34 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Kouski gave the Hometown Police Department 34 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Hometown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Kouski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant James J. Kouski Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hometown Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James J. Kouski Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James J. Kouski Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Kouski Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hometown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
