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Incident
Sergeant Melvin Means succumbed to injuries suffered six days earlier after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. 30 at Olympian Way. Sergeant Means was directing traffic as a car was being removed from a ditch by a tow truck operator when he was struck by an eastbound car, resulting in him being thrown 70 feet. Sergeant Means was transported to St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights where he died from his injuries six days later. The 16-year-old driver was charged with driving too fast for conditions and reckless driving. Sergeant Means had served with the Olympia Fields Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Means gave the Olympia Fields Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Olympia Fields community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Means.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Melvin is the only officer of Olympia Fields Police Department remembered here.
Melvin is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melvin 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 1967, 6 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1967, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1967, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 34th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Melvin was 47. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Melvin had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 47. 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. Melvin had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 13%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Olympia Fields 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Olympia Fields Police Department are honored on badge.nw.