Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Park District Police Department
Served: Length of Service Unknown
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Motorcycle Division
District of Incident (Present Day): 004 - South Chicago
Cause of Death: Fall - Thrown from Motorcycle
Age at Time of Death: 34
Timeline
Date of Birth: 20 Jan 1901
Date of Appointment:
Date of Incident: 08 Oct 1935
End of Watch: 08 Oct 1935
Date of Interment: 11 Oct 1935
Interment Details
Cemetery: Waldheim Cemetery - Forest Park, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-1
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 11
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 39
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 13-W: 11
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Park Policeman Joseph Klocek, Star #400, aged 34 years, was a veteran of the Chicago Park District Police Department, assigned to the Motorcycle Division.
On October 8, 1935, Officer Klocek was riding his police motorcycle on 84th Street between Yates and Phillips Avenues when he hit a loose stone causing the motorcycle to skid out of control.
The officer was thrown from the motorcycle and landing on the pavement. Klocek sustained serious injuries which resulted in his death. Children, on their way to Coles Elementary School, witnessed Officer Klocek’s tragic accident as it happened.
Officer Klocek was laid to rest on October 11, 1935 in Waldheim Cemetery, 1400 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois.
Park Policeman Joseph Klocek was born on January 20, 1901.
Officer Klocek was survived by his wife, Esther (nee Muschinski), age 27 and daughter, Shirley Josephine, age 7.
The Chicago Park District Police Department, in the City of Chicago, was disbanded on December 31, 1957. On January 1, 1958, the remaining officers were transferred to the Chicago Police Department through an intergovernmental agreement. Fallen officers of the Chicago Park District Police Department are currently honored on the memorial wall of the Chicago Police Department as Chicago Police Officers. Their stars are displayed in the Honored Star Case located in the lobby of the Chicago Police Department at 3510 South Michigan Avenue.