Joliet Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, September 29, 1975
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 182
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: September 23, 1975
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Jeffrey Paul Hopkins died as a result of injuries received as he was escorting a funeral procession.
On September 23, 1975, Officer Jeffrey Hopkins was off duty in full police uniform riding a motorcycle that was equipped as a police motorcycle with red flashing lights and siren. He was providing a funeral escort that was sanctioned and approved by the City of Joliet and the Chief of Police. During the escort of the funeral cortege, Officer Hopkins stopped an individual for interrupting the funeral procession. He then attempted to catch up with the funeral procession, and was thrown off his motorcycle when struck by another car on Cass Street just east of Garnsey.
As a result of the impact, the motorcycle was overturned and Officer Hopkins was thrown to the street. Officer Hopkins sustained head injuries, despite the fact that he was wearing a helmet. He never regained consciousness, and died six days later.