Matteson Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, February 17, 2003
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 4 months
Badge Number: 212
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: February 17, 2003
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Eric DeWit was killed in an automobile crash while he and his partner were on patrol at 3:25 am.
A vehicle had turned in front of their patrol car at the intersection of Sauk Trail and Kostner Avenue, in Richton Park, causing Officer DeWit to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Their patrol car struck a fire hydrant, causing fatal injuries to Officer DeWit and minor injuries to his partner.
Officer DeWit had served with the Matteson Police Department for only four months. He was survived by his wife and 1-month-old daughter.