Twenty years – to the day – after a Niles police officer died in the line of duty responding to a call, the Niles Police Department held a special memorial service to commemorate his life and the notable work he did for the department in the nearly four years he was there.
Officer Steven Zourkas died April 8, 2005 after he veered off the road in his squad car to avoid striking a pedestrian, and the police vehicle rolled over in the parking lot of the Highland Towers condominium complex.
“Part of the accident knocked down the Highland Towers sign. They put a memorial plaque on the sign in his memory because that’s where he passed,” Fragassi said.
On April 8, two decades after that fateful day, a modest crowd gathered at the Niles Police Department for an outdoor ceremony in Zourkas’ honor.
“For the 20th anniversary we wanted to do something on the actual day so that’s why we had this memorial service,” Tom Fragassi, deputy chief of administration for the Niles Police Department, told Pioneer Press
He said about 100 people attended the memorial service for Zourkas, who was responding to a disturbance call. The ceremony included Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Spizzirri, a former Niles police community service officer, singing the national anthem and playing “Taps.” Also in attendance was police Chief Joseph Romano, who had attended the police academy with Zourkas. Romano gave the invocation.
“He was a great guy. I worked with him way back in the day. There’s not too many people left who worked with him,” Fragassi said.
Attendees of the memorial service included the late officer’s brother George Zourkas – whom Fragassi said works in the Niles Public Works Department – brother Anthony Zourkas and sister-in-law Eileen Zourkas.
Village officials and workers, as well as police officers from neighboring jurisdictions such as Park Ridge and Morton Grove, where Zourkas grew up, also attended the ceremony, Fragassi said.
“He would give you the shirt off his back. He was the nicest guy and just a big teddy bear,” Fragassi said.
Officials explained that Zourkas was hired at the department in May 2001 as an officer. He had been assigned to patrol and worked the midnight shift. Additionally, he had been chosen to be an evidence technician for the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force.
“He was dedicated to doing his meticulous evidence technician work,” Fragassi said.
Fragassi recalled how attendees at the 2023 dedication of the Niles Law Enforcement Memorial, which features a plaque with Zourkas’ name on it, heard from Niles mayor George Alpogianis about how Zourkas responded in 2004 to a burglary call at Alpogianis’ home.
Zourkas is credited with being so conscientious that he collected wiring during the investigation of that crime that might have been overlooked by others, according to officials. That evidence helped to prove that a professional burglary crew had broken into the home.
“Posthumously, his evidence work helped in convicting them,” Fragassi said.
A resolution adopted by the Illinois General Assembly following his death made mention of a few accolades Zourkas received in his few years with the department. He was recognized in April 2002 for administering CPR to a Niles resident after being the first responder on the scene and found the person in cardiac arrest.
“WHEREAS, In 2003 and 2004, Officer Zourkas received recognition from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for being a lead officer in the number of DUI’s written in the Village of Niles,” the resolution reads.
In March 2005, about two weeks before he was killed in the crash, Zourkas had received a department commendation following an arrest he made while on patrol. In that incident, he reportedly saw a vehicle, deemed suspicious, that was parked near two tow trucks. It turned out that the person in the vehicle had robbed the trucks, and was suspected in a burglary that was being investigated at the time by another police department.
“His courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment to protecting the village of Niles and its residents will forever be remembered,” officials posted on the Niles Police Department’s Instagram page. “We honor his legacy and the enduring impact he made on our community.”
At the time of his death, Zourkas was survived by his wife and two sons.
Fragassi said a wreath in Zourkas’ name will be laid May 15 at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week.
“He was just a family guy who was very close to his parents and dedicated to his work. He’s sorely missed. He’d be in a leadership position today if he was still here. He was a tremendous guy,” Fragassi said.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
