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Incident
On Saturday, July 16, 1983, at approximately 3:25 a.m. at 143rd between Gauger Road and State Street, Will County Auxiliary Deputy Stephen Mayer and Auxiliary Sergeant Denis Foley were mortally wounded in an ambush slaying. The deputies had been shot in what they thought was going to be a routine stop to help a motorist. They stopped to assist the driver of a pickup truck. The rear of the truck was blocking part of the road, while its front bumper was up against a red car parked in a rutted turn-around area. As the officers approached, their assailant said, "We need a jump." When the officers exited Squad 301A, the gunman suddenly shot both of them. Mayer died shortly after being shot; Foley was seriously wounded in the throat. A few minutes later, another car came around the curve and slowed down. The gunman opened up on them. The driver was killed; his passenger was shot six times. The car rolled on down the road and into a bean field. Wounded and frightened, the female went looking for help. The deputies in 301A were in trouble, but they couldn't be found, and other officers were frantically searching in the darkness of rural Homer Township. Between 3:25 a.m. and 3:40 a.m., county police officers searched for Squad 301A. Sergeant Foley, badly injured from one bullet that had shattered his mouth and teeth, attempted to speak over Squad 301A's radio microphone. Most of his words were garbled. He couldn't give his location. He was instructed to turn on his siren and shine his spotlight in the air. Meanwhile, a farmer who lived in the area called county police to say he could hear racket behind his buildings, including a siren. Officers met the citizen, and less than a minute later, the site of the ambush was located. After finding the two auxiliary deputies, responding units located the bodies of a 25-year-old female and a 32-year-old male who had been in the car parked in front of the pickup truck. The auxiliary officers' guns and wallets were missing. Mayer's body
Survivors
survivor saw a man in a uniform shirt shouting at them. She thought the officer was shooting at them.
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
You barely got started.
Auxiliary Deputy Mayer gave the Will County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Deputy Mayer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Will County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Steven is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Steven is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 2 officers at Will County Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1983, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steven was 23. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Will County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37; the middle age was 29. Steven had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Steven was 23. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 20% of these deaths at Will County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 40%.
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Saturdays: 15.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Will County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Will County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Steven among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Will County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
