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Incident
Chief of Police Emil Johnson was killed in a motorcycle crash while attempting to stop a speeding motorist.
Patrolman Nels Christy, who was riding in the motorcycle's sidecar, survived the crash but was killed in the line of duty in a separate motorcycle crash on July 2nd, 1930.
Chief Johnson had served with the Elmwood Park Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He 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.
Chief of Police Johnson gave the Elmwood Park Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elmwood Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Johnson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Elmwood Park Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Emil is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Emil is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Emil 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 1924, 7 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1924, 86 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1924, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Emil was 39. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Emil had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Emil was 39. 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. Emil had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Emil was 39. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Emil had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.1%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Elmwood Park 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.
His people
Elmwood Park Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Emil among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Elmwood Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
