Patrolman Fred Kuncl, Berwyn Police Department, Illinois

Patrolman Fred Kuncl

Berwyn Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Monday, April 26, 1920

Fred Kuncl

Patrolman Fred Kuncl died of wounds suffered a day earlier when he was accidentally shot by another police officer.

Patrolman Kincl, who was in plainclothes, responded to a call of a suspicious person on foot in the area of 34th Street and Harlem Avenue, which borders Berwyn and the village of Riverside. While investigating the call, Patrolman Kuncl was accidentally shot and killed by an officer from the Riverside Police Department, who mistook him for a criminal.

Patrolman Kuncl was taken to a local hospital where he died the next day from his wounds. The officer from the Riverside Police Department was cleared of all charges.

Patrolman Kuncl had served with the Berwyn Police Department for one year. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 1 year
Badge 153

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire (Accidental)
Incident Date Sunday, April 25, 1920

Most Recent Reflection

View all 6 Reflections

I am proud to learn that an ancestor of mine served in law enforcement. That he was tragically and accidentally shot and killed on duty does not diminish the honorable manner in which he served his department and community.
I am a retired peace officer, having served in a variety of capacities in California for forty years.

Gary C. Kuncl

Gary C. Kuncl, Ret. Chief,
College of Sequoias District Police

November 28, 2017