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Incident
Patrolman Fred Kuncl died of wounds suffered a day earlier when he was accidentally shot by another police officer. Patrolman Kincl, who was in plainclothes, responded to a call of a suspicious person on foot in the area of 34th Street and Harlem Avenue, which borders Berwyn and the village of Riverside. While investigating the call, Patrolman Kuncl was accidentally shot and killed by an officer from the Riverside Police Department, who mistook him for a criminal. Patrolman Kuncl was taken to a local hospital where he died the next day from his wounds. The officer from the Riverside Police Department was cleared of all charges. Patrolman Kuncl had served with the Berwyn Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Kuncl gave the Berwyn Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Berwyn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kuncl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Berwyn Police Department has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Fred is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Fred is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1920, 3 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1920, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1920, 66 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Fred was 26. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Fred had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 26. 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. Fred had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Fred had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 17.2%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Berwyn Police Department, the 2nd 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Berwyn Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Berwyn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
