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Incident
Auxiliary Police Officer Ty Massey drowned after being carried away in a swollen river after responding to a call of a vehicle that had been swept off the I-80 bridge over the Rock River. After he and his partner arrived on the scene, Auxiliary Officer Massey jumped over a guard rail, thinking he was at ground level. However, he fell approximately 30 feet and struck a concrete embankment before being swept away into the river. His body was recovered four days later, on May 15th, 1993, approximately one mile downstream. It was later determined that the initial report of a vehicle in the river was a false report. Auxiliary Officer Massey had served with the Colona Police Department for seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his unborn child, parents, and sister.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Auxiliary Police Officer Massey served with the Colona Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Colona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Auxiliary Police Officer Massey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Colona Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Ty is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Ty is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ty 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 1993, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1993, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1993, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ty was 23. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Ty had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ty was 23. 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. Ty had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ty was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ty had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Colona Police Department, 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
Colona Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ty among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Colona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
