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Incident
Police Officer Jonathan Walsh was killed when his patrol car was involved in a crash with a hit-and-run driver.
He was responding to a burglar alarm at the Pilcher Park Nature Center when he collided with a Chevrolet Blazer and then crashed into an unoccupied lift crane parked on the side of Maple Road just east of Briggs Street.
Police located the Blazer abandoned near McKay Street and Garland Court. Following a five-hour manhunt, the driver was arrested and charged, as was his spouse, for her involvement in reporting the vehicle stolen.
Officer Walsh was pronounced dead at Silver Cross Hospital.
On Wednesday, July 27, 2005, the offender entered a guilty plea on charges of failure to stop after an accident and driving on a revoked license. On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, the driver was sentenced to six months in jail and was taken into custody after sentencing. The sentence also included 48 months of probation.
Officer Walsh had served with the Joliet Police Department for 3 1/2 years. He was a certified member of the Bicycle Patrol and also served on the Gang Violence Suppression Unit. He was a founder and member of the Joliet Police Department Softball Team and a member of the International Police Mountain Bike Association. During his career with the Joliet Police Department, he was the recipient of numerous commendations and awards of merit. Officer Walsh was a very enthusiastic, compassionate, and friendly individual. Prior to joining the Joliet Police Department, Jonathan Walsh served with the Burr Ridge, Palos Heights, and Chicago Ridge Police Departments.
Officer Walsh is survived by his father, a retired Worth police officer, his mother, and two sisters.
Survivors
Officer Walsh is survived by his father, a retired Worth police officer, his mother, and two sisters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Walsh gave the Joliet Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Walsh.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joliet Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Jonathan is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Jonathan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jonathan is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer at Joliet Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2004, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jonathan was 27. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Joliet Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 33; the middle age was 32. Jonathan had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Jonathan was 27. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Jonathan had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jonathan 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. Jonathan had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jonathan was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jonathan had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 20% of these deaths at Joliet Police Department; September holds the most, 40%. Fridays: 20%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Joliet Police 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Joliet Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Jonathan among them.
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
7 officers from Joliet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
