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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Kuczynski was struck and killed while assisting another deputy to push a patrol car out of a ditch on Illinois 29 six miles north of Peoria.
Another car came around a corner and struck him, killing him instantly. Deputy Kuczynski was off duty at the time when he stopped to assist.
Deputy Kuczynski had served with the Peoria County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Kuczynski gave the Peoria County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kuczynski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Peoria County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1961, 1 officer in IL was lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 32. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Walter had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 32. 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. Walter had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Peoria County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd 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
Peoria County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Peoria County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
