Policeman

Robert McCarthy

Cook County Highway Police — Chicago, IL
Accident
End of Watch August 24, 1931
Age 33
The Vigil Panel 62 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Policeman Red McCarthy was killed in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Graceland Avenue and Rand Road in Des Plaines at approximately 2:00 am

He and another officer were on patrol when a vehicle turned left in front of them, causing a collision. Policeman McCarthy succumbed to his injuries while being transported to Des Plaines Emergency Hospital.

The driver of the car that caused the collision was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Policeman McCarthy served with the Cook County Highway Police.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McCarthy.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cchpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 24, 1931
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

Robert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 33. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cook County Highway Police has 13 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

VI

Where

Policeman Robert McCarthy

Cook County Highway Police · End of Watch August 24, 1931

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W

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