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Incident
Deputy Leonard Hurwitz and Deputy William Pottow were killed in an automobile accident at the intersection of Touhy Avenue and Harlem Avenue, in Niles.
The deputies were attempting to stop a car for speeding on Touhy Avenue when their patrol car was struck by a third car. Deputy Pottow died at the scene while Deputy Hurwitz succumbed to his injuries three days later.
Deputy Hurwitz had served with the agency for just over one year and was survived by his wife, child, and parents.
Survivors
Deputy Hurwitz had served with the agency for just over one year and was survived by his wife, child, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Hurwitz gave the Cook County Highway Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hurwitz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cook County Highway Police has lost 13 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Leonard is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Leonard is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leonard 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 1945, 2 officers at Cook County Highway Police were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1945, 5 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1945, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1945, 68 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Leonard was 41. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Cook County Highway Police whose age is recorded, half were between 33.5 and 38.8; the middle age was 37. Leonard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 3.6 years.
Leonard was 41. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Leonard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonard was 41. 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. Leonard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leonard was 41. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Leonard had served 1.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 36.4% of these deaths at Cook County Highway Police, more than any other month. Saturdays: 18.2%.
June holds 7.1% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 11.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 84.6% of all 13 deaths at Cook County Highway Police, 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
Cook County Highway Police has 13 officers remembered here, Leonard among them.
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Robert Mann Stafford Oct 15, 1922
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Henry C. Westlund
Oct 24, 1922
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Claude Earl Bowman
Jul 22, 1923
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Harold August Kegler Jun 8, 1925
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John G. Sweitz Jun 24, 1928
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Sam F. Kaiser
Apr 20, 1930
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Frederick C. Bryant
May 24, 1930
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Robert McCarthy Aug 24, 1931
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Meyer Joseph Lapine
Sep 5, 1932
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Robert Schanbaum
Aug 11, 1934
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Frank J. Christian
Oct 19, 1941
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William J. Pottow, Jr.
Jun 6, 1945
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Leonard Alvin Hurwitz
Jun 9, 1945
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cook County Highway Police are honored on badge.nw.
