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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ralph Hoy and Chief Deputy Gordon Leonard were killed in an automobile accident while transporting a prisoner. Their patrol car ran off the road and overturned, killing both deputies.
Deputy Hoy was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Hoy was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Hoy served with the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wheaton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hoy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
DuPage County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Ralph is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 10 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1929, 118 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 130 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph 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.
Ralph 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.
Ralph 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.
When
September holds 10.5% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Fridays: 13%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at DuPage County Sheriff's Office.
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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
DuPage County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from DuPage County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
