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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Bosshardt was fatally injured while assisting a tow truck driver who was attempting to remove a vehicle from a ditch on Route 66 near McLean. After flares had been placed at the scene to warn motorists of the hazard, a bus skidded out of control at 4:20 am and struck Deputy Bosshardt, causing him to be thrown into the ditch. The bus then struck the tow truck which tipped over before landing on Deputy Bosshardt. Deputy Bosshardt had to be dug out from under the tow truck before being transported to Saint Joseph's Hospital where he died a short time later of massive internal injuries. Deputy Bosshardt had served with the McLean County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son, who later became the chief of police of the Bloomington, Illinois, Police Department.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Bosshardt gave the McLean County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bosshardt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
McLean County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Joe is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Joe is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1941, 3 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1941, 68 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1941, 90 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joe was 52. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Joe had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 52. 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. Joe had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 52. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joe had served 3 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%. Wednesdays: 13%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at McLean County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
McLean County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from McLean County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
