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Incident
Police Officer Eric DeWit was killed in an automobile crash while he and his partner were on patrol at 3:25 am.
A vehicle had turned in front of their patrol car at the intersection of Sauk Trail and Kostner Avenue, in Richton Park, causing Officer DeWit to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Their patrol car struck a fire hydrant, causing fatal injuries to Officer DeWit and minor injuries to his partner.
Officer DeWit had served with the Matteson Police Department for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 1-month-old daughter.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer DeWit served with the Matteson Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Matteson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer DeWit.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Eric is the only officer of Matteson Police Department remembered here.
Eric is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Eric is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric 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 2003, 2 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 2003, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2003, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Eric was 23. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Eric had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 23. 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. Eric had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7.3% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 17.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Matteson Police Department.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Matteson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.