Oak Park Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, January 21, 1938
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 300
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Date of Incident: January 21, 1938
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
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.