Niles Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, April 8, 2005
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 165
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: April 8, 2005
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Steven Zourkas was killed in an automobile crash at the intersection of Golf Road and Western Avenue in Niles while en route to a call at approximately 04:00 am.
Officer Zourkas was responding to a disturbance call at a restaurant when he lost control of his squad car. The vehicle flipped onto its side and crashed into several parked cars and a sign in a condominium complex. Witnesses reported that he swerved to avoid a pedestrian in the roadway. Officer Zourkas was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officer Zourkas had served with the Niles Police Department for four years and had recently joined the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force as an evidence technician. He was survived by his wife and two sons, one a 4-month-old newborn.