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Incident
Policeman John Sweitz was killed in a motorcycle accident as he and his partner patrolled River Road.
As they attempted to catch up to a speeding car another vehicle crossed into his path at Bryn Mawr Avenue. His motorcycle collided with the vehicle and he was thrown into a ditch. He suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Policeman Sweitz was survived by his wife and three small children.
Survivors
Policeman Sweitz was survived by his wife and three small 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.
Policeman Sweitz served with the Cook County Highway Police.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Sweitz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cook County Highway Police has lost 13 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1928, 1 officer at Cook County Highway Police was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1928, 7 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1928, 103 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1928, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
June holds 36.4% of these deaths at Cook County Highway Police, more than any other month. Sundays: 36.4%.
June holds 7.1% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Sundays: 16.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 84.6% of all 13 deaths at Cook County Highway Police, the 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
Cook County Highway Police has 13 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Robert Mann Stafford Oct 15, 1922
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Henry C. Westlund
Oct 24, 1922
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Claude Earl Bowman
Jul 22, 1923
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Harold August Kegler Jun 8, 1925
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John G. Sweitz Jun 24, 1928
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Sam F. Kaiser
Apr 20, 1930
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Frederick C. Bryant
May 24, 1930
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Robert McCarthy Aug 24, 1931
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Meyer Joseph Lapine
Sep 5, 1932
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Robert Schanbaum
Aug 11, 1934
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Frank J. Christian
Oct 19, 1941
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William J. Pottow, Jr.
Jun 6, 1945
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Leonard Alvin Hurwitz
Jun 9, 1945
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Cook County Highway Police are honored on badge.nw.
