People in Polo know what it means to show up for your hometown. Rick Knutson was one of those guys who did it every day without making a scene about it. He was 46 years old, a Navy veteran, and a local school board member who spent his adult life helping out where he could. That is why his sudden death after a late-night golf cart accident near town has hit everyone hard.
Rick grew up right here in Ogle County and graduated from Polo Community High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy to serve his country. When his military service wrapped up, he came right back home to build his life where he started. He put his time and energy into making the town better for local families.
In 2021, voters elected Rick to the Polo Community Unit School District board. He took the job seriously, sitting through long budget meetings and standing up for students and teachers. Fellow board members knew him as a quiet guy who listened closely before speaking. He cared about the details, whether it was building repairs or local school programs.
That steady service came to an abrupt end late Wednesday night. Rick was driving a white 1993 E-Z Go golf cart along West Goose Hollow Road just outside town. Around 1:00 a.m., the cart drifted off the right side of the road, went into a drainage ditch, and hit a concrete culvert. The sudden stop threw Rick out of the vehicle.
First responders got to the scene near North Summer Hill Road in minutes. Emergency crews performed CPR and basic medical care right on the road before putting him in an ambulance. They rushed him to OSF Saint Katharine Hospital in Dixon, but doctors could not save him. He died at the hospital shortly after arriving.
News about the accident moved quickly through town the next morning. Hallways inside the local schools felt noticeably quiet as teachers, staff, and students took in the news. For many residents, losing Rick feels personal because he seemed to be everywhere, from school board meetings to weekend community events.
Deputies are still working to figure out why the golf cart left the road. Meanwhile, neighbors in Polo are focusing on supporting Rick’s family through a tough stretch. A man who gave years to his country and his hometown is gone, and his presence across town will be missed for a long time.
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