Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Chauncey Esch was struck and killed by a train while escorting a prisoner back to the police station. Officer Esch had chased down and captured a 16-year-old purse snatcher. At the time, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad station on Marion Street was located at ground level. Officer Esch was walking his prisoner back to the station along the railroad embankment. They were just west of the train station when Officer Esch was struck from behind by a backing eastbound passenger train. Five cars and the tender passed over him, fracturing his skull and amputating both his legs. His prisoner was uninjured and testified at the inquest that he had not seen nor heard the train until suddenly, there was a thud, and Officer Esch disappeared beneath its wheels. Evidence was also submitted that suggested the lights on the train that struck him were inadequate. Officer Esch had served with the Oak Park Police Department for 10 years and spent the majority of his career in the ''Lake-Marion-Harlem'' district. He was survived by his wife and three children. Officer Esch was buried in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Elmhurst.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3941DC24- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Chauncey. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Esch gave the Oak Park Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oak Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Esch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Chauncey B. Esch is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 4.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Oak Park Police Department, 4 of 7 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Chauncey B. Esch's cause is highlighted.
How Chauncey B. Esch Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Chauncey B. Esch is highlighted in Jan.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oak Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
