Oak Park Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Friday, January 21, 1938
Add to My HeroesChauncey B. Esch
Officer Chauncey Esch was struck and killed by a train while escorting a prisoner back to the police station.
Officer Esch had chased down and captured a 16-year-old purse snatcher. At the time, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad station on Marion Street was located at ground level and Officer Esch was walking his prisoner back to the station along the railroad embankment. They were just west of the train station when Officer Esch was struck from behind by a backing eastbound passenger train. Five cars and the tender passed over him, fracturing his skull and amputating both his legs. His prisoner was uninjured and testified at the inquest that he had not seen nor heard the train until suddenly there was a thud and Officer Esch disappeared beneath its wheels. Evidence was also submitted that suggested the lights on the train that struck him were inadequate.
Officer Esch had served with the Oak Park Police Department for 10 years and spent the majority of his career in the ''Lake-Marion-Harlem'' district. He was survived by his wife and three children. Officer Esch was buried in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Elmhurst.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 10 years
- Badge 300
Incident Details
- Cause Struck by train
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsRest in peace Officer Esch.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 25, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Henke Ruge
Burnsville Police Department, MN
EOW: February 18, 2024