Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Jonathan Walsh was killed when his patrol car was involved in a crash with a hit-and-run driver.
He was responding to a burglar alarm at the Pilcher Park Nature Center when he collided with a Chevrolet Blazer and then crashed into an unoccupied lift crane parked on the side of Maple Road just east of Briggs Street.
Police located the Blazer abandoned near McKay Street and Garland Court. Following a five-hour manhunt, the driver was arrested and charged, as was his spouse, for her involvement in reporting the vehicle stolen.
Officer Walsh was pronounced dead at Silver Cross Hospital.
On Wednesday, July 27, 2005, the offender entered a guilty plea on charges of failure to stop after an accident and driving on a revoked license. On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, the driver was sentenced to six months in jail and was taken into custody after sentencing. The sentence also included 48 months of probation.
Officer Walsh had served with the Joliet Police Department for 3 1/2 years. He was a certified member of the Bicycle Patrol and also served on the Gang Violence Suppression Unit. He was a founder and member of the Joliet Police Department Softball Team and a member of the International Police Mountain Bike Association. During his career with the Joliet Police Department, he was the recipient of numerous commendations and awards of merit. Officer Walsh was a very enthusiastic, compassionate, and friendly individual. Prior to joining the Joliet Police Department, Jonathan Walsh served with the Burr Ridge, Palos Heights, and Chicago Ridge Police Departments.
Officer Walsh is survived by his father, a retired Worth police officer, his mother, and two sisters.
Survivors
Officer Walsh is survived by his father, a retired Worth police officer, his mother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-AD508CEC- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Walsh gave the Joliet Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Walsh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jonathan Edward Walsh is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Joliet Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jonathan Edward Walsh's cause is highlighted.
How Jonathan Edward Walsh Compares
Offender Outcome
6 month sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jonathan Edward Walsh is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jonathan Edward Walsh was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Joliet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
