Remembering IL Officers Who Died In 2021: National Police Week

ILLINOIS — The biggest effect the coronavirus pandemic had on National Police Week isn't that activities in Illinois and elsewhere have been postponed, but the number of police officers whose lives and careers were cut short by the virus.

While their names won’t be read at the National Police Officers’ Memorial Service until its Oct. 16 rescheduled date, they will be honored virtually during National Police Week from May 9-16 this year.

The coronavirus has been cited for nine police officer line-of-duty deaths in Illinois in 2020, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Two other line-of-duty deaths were listed for 2020 — Hampton, Illinois Police Chief Terrance Engle and Boone County police K-9 Loki, both killed in crashes.

No line-of-duty deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported for Illinois in 2021, but three Illinois officers have been killed while on duty this year.

Nationally, 63 of the 119 police line-of-duty deaths in 2021 as of May 4, just under 53 percent, have been due to the virus.

The memorial page pays tribute to these Illinois officers lost to coronavirus last year:

Chicago Police Department, Illinois

• Police Officer Marco DiFranco. End of Watch: April 2, 2020
• Sergeant Clifford W. Martin, Sr. End of Watch: April 10, 2020
• Police Officer Titus T. Moore. End of Watch: Nov. 24, 2020
• Police Officer Ronald Newman. End of Watch: April 17, 2020

Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, Illinois

• Correctional Officer Antoine P. Jones. End of Watch: May 10, 2020
• Correctional Officer Jose P. Marquez. End of Watch: June 28, 2020
• Correctional Officer Sheila J. Rivera. End of Watch: April 19, 2020

Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, Illinois

• Deputy Sheriff Richard W. O'Brien, Jr. End of Watch: May 3, 2020

Melrose Park Police Department, Illinois

• Police Officer Joseph Cappello. End of Watch: April 24, 2020

COVID-19 caused 234 of the 362 line-of-duty deaths nationwide in 2020. Before the virus, 150 active police officers died across the United States throughout 2019.

This year, three Illinois police officers have died while on duty, according to the memorial page. The fallen officers were members of the Illinois State Police, Chicago Heights Police Department and Hometown Police Department.

They are:

Lt. James Kouski

Police Department: Hometown, IL

End of Watch: Saturday, April 3, 2021

Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Life: Kouski was a 34-year veteran of the Hometown Police Department. The 58-year-old was killed when prosecutors said a drunk driver crashed into Kouski's squad car. Officials said the drunken driver's blood alcohol content was almost twice the legal limit. Friends and family described Kouski as friendly and talkative, even while working the midnight shift. According to Hometown police, Kouski was wearing his emergency vest and had his bright emergency lights activated per police protocol. The officer leaves behind his son and wife.

Related: Residents Honor Fallen Hometown Police Officer At Procession

Senior Master Trooper Todd A. Hanneken

Police Department: Illinois State Police

End of Watch: Thursday, March 25, 2021

Cause of Death: Automobile crash

Life: Hanneken was a 20-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. The 45-year-old died when his squad car struck a telephone pole while on patrol one night. Hanneken's family said he always wanted to be a state trooper, but also had other hobbies like renovating their home and watching his sons play baseball. The trooper was a Mt. Zion native and loved the community dearly, his family said.

Police Officer Gary Hibbs

Police Department: Chicago Heights, IL

End of Watch: Friday, March 12, 2021

Cause of Death: Assault

Life: Hibbs was a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Heights Police Department. He was killed while attempting to break up a dispute between two people when he was knocked to the ground in the process. Hibbs leaves behind his son, who is also a Chicago Heights police officer, his daughter and a granddaughter.

Related: 25-Year Veteran Of Chicago Heights Police Department Dies