Fallen Heroes
On November 9, 1971, Officer Paul Du Planty was walking his beat in the State and Wells Streets area alongside the Stadium Expressway when he saw a vehicle that had spun out on a slippery spot of the snow-covered expressway and stalled in the middle lane. Officer Du Planty radioed the Sherriff’s Department about the situation and walked over to assist the stranded motorist and direct traffic.
A vehicle driving too fast could not stop for the slowed traffic and struck another vehicle. The vehicle slammed into Officer Du Planty, knocking him over the guardrail and off the bridge. Officer Du Planty radioed that he had fallen from the bridge and said he was hurt and needed help. He died about two hours later at County General Hospital.
Officer Du Planty was 26 years old and had been on the force for just over one year.