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Incident
POlice Officer William Pottker was struck and killed while directing traffic at the scene of a previous traffic accident on Washington Boulevard near Lombard Avenue.
Officer Pottker had served with the Oak Park Police Department for 25 years. He was buried in Wheaton Cemetery.
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
25 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Pottker gave the Oak Park Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Oak Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Pottker.
— 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.
William is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 2 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1919, 51 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 94th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1919, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 57. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 57. 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. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 57. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 13%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 8.9% 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Oak Park Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-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.
