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Incident
Will County Sheriff's Deputy Raymond Topolewski succumbed from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run accident on January 22nd. Deputy Topolewski of Bolingbrook died at 9:34 p.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center, where he had been confined since the accident. The hit-and-run accident occurred as Deputy Topolewski stood near his squad car in the 100 block of Patterson Road investigating a rape complaint. Deputy Topolewski and another deputy were dispatched to the scene at approximately 9:51 p.m. Both parked their cars off the road. Deputy Topolewski was talking to the complainant as the second deputy, who parked in front of Deputy Topolewski, was walking to join the two. He noticed a car going southbound off the road at a high rate of speed. The moving car hit Deputy Topolewski's squad car, which then hit the second deputy and spun him around. The moving car then grazed the woman's leg and struck Deputy Topolewski. The car continued south on Patterson Road. On January 24th, the hit-and-run driver went to the Laraway Road Station to report his vehicle had struck a fence on Woodruff Road the night of the hit-and-run accident. Police arrested him for the accident after questioning him. Originally he had been charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and driving under the influence of intoxicants and was free on a $1,000 bond. After Deputy Topolewski's death, the Will County State's Attorney's Office filed an additional charge of reckless homicide. Deputy Topolewski had served with the Will County Sheriff's Office for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, also a Will County Sheriff's Deputy, his father, a brother, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Topolewski gave the Will County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Topolewski.
— 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.
Raymond is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 1 officer at Will County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1983, with 2.
In 1985, 5 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Raymond was 27. 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. Raymond had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Raymond was 27. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Will County Sheriff's Department; October holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 20%.
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
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 automobile, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 3.7% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Will County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Raymond among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-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.
