Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Willard E. Hoard was killed when his motorcycle crashed as he chased a speeder. He was traveling at more than 70 mph when he collided with an automobile near 23rd and the Outer Drive. His partner said they were chasing a speeder and had reached a point opposite the 23rd Street entrance to the World's Fair when an automobile suddenly emerged from a parking lot and cut across the road in front of them. Policeman Hoard's partner managed to stop his motorcycle after skidding more than 40 feet, but Policeman Hoard apparently did not see the vehicle and struck it at high speed. Policeman Hoard was taken to Chicago Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-C4A99370- 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.
Park Policeman Hoard served with the South Park District Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Policeman Hoard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Park Policeman Willard E. Hoard 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 South Park District Police Department, 8 of 10 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Willard E. Hoard's cause is highlighted.
How Willard E. Hoard Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Willard E. Hoard is highlighted in Sep.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from South Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
