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Incident
Officer Steven Zourkas was killed in an automobile crash at the intersection of Golf Road and Western Avenue in Niles while en route to a call at approximately 04:00 am.
Officer Zourkas was responding to a disturbance call at a restaurant when he lost control of his squad car. The vehicle flipped onto its side and crashed into several parked cars and a sign in a condominium complex. Witnesses reported that he swerved to avoid a pedestrian in the roadway. Officer Zourkas was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officer Zourkas had served with the Niles Police Department for four years and had recently joined the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force as an evidence technician.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons, one a 4-month-old newborn.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 Zourkas gave the Niles Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Niles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Zourkas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Steven is the only officer of Niles Police Department remembered here.
Steven is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Steven is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven 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 2005, 2 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 55th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 2005, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2005, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Steven was 33. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Steven had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 33. 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. Steven had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Steven had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 13%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Niles 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 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Niles Police Department are honored on badge.nw.