Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Barth Pond
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 1, 2026
1. Barth Pond Marker
Named in Honor of Officer Richard J. Barth #11
Downers Grove Police Department
Officer Barth was killed in the line of duty on March 18, 1974. He made the ultimate sacrifice in serving the citizens of our community. Officer Barth enjoyed countless hours of fishing at this park site.
Erected 1998 by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 73; Village of Downers Grove; Downers Grove Park District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1974.
Location. 41° 47.234′ N, 88° 0.017′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on 55th Street (County Route 35) east of Fairmount Avenue. The marker is in Patriots Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 55th Place, Downers Grove IL 60516, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monarch Habitat (within shouting distance of this marker); Whittier School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Heritage Garden (approx. 0.4 miles away); Welcome to the Downers Grove Park District Museum Campus (approx. 0.4 miles away); Israel and Avis Blodgett
this page online
Also see . . . Officer Down Memorial Page: Officer Richard Joseph Barth.
Excerpt: "Officer Richard Barth was shot and killed by a 15-year-old suspect while questioning him and another youth about suspicious activity in a park."(Submitted on July 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 1, 2026
2. Barth Pond Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
