Forest Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ofc. Nicholas Kozak

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 11, 2024

1. Ofc. Nicholas Kozak Marker

Inscription. Police Officer Nicholas Kozak, 50, of the Forest Park Police Department, passed away on November 27, 2021, in the line of duty following Covid-19 complications after having contact with a prisoner who tested positive for Covid-19 just days prior. Officer Kozak began his career with the Forest Park Police Department in July 2002, served in the United States Army and was currently in the Illinois National Guard serving in a Special Forces Group at the time of his death.

Erected 2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Military • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 2021.

Location. 41° 53.001′ N, 87° 48.537′ W. Marker is in Forest Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Randolph Street and Belvidere Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Randolph Street. The marker is in the southeast corner of Remembrance Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7341 Randolph Street, Forest Park IL 60130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Police Officer Michael Caulfield (here, next to this marker); Fire Captain Frank Schnurstein (here, next to this marker); Police Lieutenant Herman Ziebell (here, next to this marker); Police Officer Edward Pflaume (a few steps from this marker); Sgt. Joshua W. Harris Memorial Walkway (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kajuk (approx. 0.2 miles away); Howard F. Sammon (approx. ¼ mile away); Harold Q. Kirk, M.D. (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Forest Park.

More about this marker. The marker was dedicated in Remembrance Park on Veterans Day 2024, after the small park had been renovated earlier that year. The marker for Officer Kozak is next to four

Remembrance Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 11, 2024

2. Remembrance Park

An obelisk in the middle is dedicated to first responders from Forest Park who have died in the line of duty. It was updated in 2024 to include Officer Nicholas Kozak, who died in 2021 after contracting Covid-19 from a prisoner.

others that had been previously added to Remembrance Park in 2015.

Regarding Ofc. Nicholas Kozak. The Officer Down Memorial Page, dedicated to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty, reports that it has verified at least 900 officers died of Covid-19 due to confirmed or presumed exposure to the virus while on duty.

Also see . . .
1. Forest Park police officer dies at home. From the Forest Park Review, a report on Officer Kozak's death in November of 2021. (Submitted on November 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Remembrance Park open for Veterans Day. An article in the Forest Park Review about the reopening of Remembrance Park. (Submitted on November 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Nick Kozak bio. Nick Kozak's bio for Triumph Systems, a target and training manufacturer for law enforcement.

Excerpt: "Nick was born and raised in the Midwest and was taught at an early age that service to your country was of the utmost importance. Growing up, Nick gravitated to the veterans in his family and found himself in the Boy Scouts being mentored
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 11, 2024

3. Memorial to Forest Park first responders
Officer Kozak's name was added to the memorial during a 2024 renovation of Remembrance Park.
by veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Using the lessons learned from these veterans, Nick earned the rank of Eagle Scout and solidified his decision to enlist in the United States Army to become a Paratrooper."

(Submitted on November 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 256 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.