Illinois State Police, Illinois
End of Watch Sunday, May 28, 1933
Add to My HeroesRichard Groja
Trooper Richard Groja was killed in a motorcycle accident.
Trooper Groja was responding to a call in Chicago when he failed to show up. He was found five hours later at Rand Road and Garland Place. It appeared that he lost control of the motorcycle on an S-curve colliding with a tree.
Trooper Groja was U.S. Army veteran of WWI and served with the Illinois State Police for only two months. He was survived by his wife and child.
Bio
- Age 25
- Tour 2 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Motorcycle crash
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsThe Illinois State Police lives forever, and since you were an Illinois State Trooper YOU will live forever. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for your sacrifice and service.
Trooper A.M. Unal
Illinois State Police
April 19, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Sergeant Kathleen M. Radziunas
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, NY
EOW: April 30, 2025
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026