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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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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
The Sacrifice · Accident
Oak Park Police Department has lost 7 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Chauncey is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Chauncey is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chauncey is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 6 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1938, 89 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1938, 100 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Chauncey was 27. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Chauncey had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chauncey was 27. 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. Chauncey had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chauncey was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Chauncey had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 13%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 57.1% of all 7 deaths at Oak Park Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Oak Park Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Chauncey among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oak Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
