END OF WATCH: December 26. 1951 Gates Mills Police Department Age: 55 On December 26, 1951, just after midnight, Lieutenant Earl D. Thomas was patrolling the Village of Gates Mills when his police vehicle became disabled in heavy snow. While attempting to free the vehicle, Thomas slipped and struck his chest on the rear ofRead More

END OF WATCH: May 12, 1952 Cleveland Police Department Patrolman Stinchcomb was a mounted officer assigned to the East side working traffic duty on the corner of East 105th Street and Euclid Avenue. During the course of his duties, he was called to quell a disturbance aboard a CTS bus. The complainant, Annabelle Franke, statedRead More

END OF WATCH: March 22, 1955 Willoughby Police Department Age: 47 Lieutenant Moore, was instantly killed when he picked up a live high-tension wire carrying 4600 volts. The Lieutenant was answering a call of a downed wire on Maple Street. The wire was blown down by very high winds and Moore apparently thought the lineRead More

END OF WATCH: August 30, 1955 Cleveland Police Department Patrolman Stainbrook was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department on February 1, 1927. He was assigned to the Fourth Precinct and lived on East 121st Street at the time of his death. On August 30, 1955, noontime, Patrolman Stainbrook and his partner, Patrolman William R. Hudec,Read More

END OF WATCH: August 30, 1955 Cleveland Police Department Age: 37 It would be difficult to write a story about William Hudec without including Warren L. Stainbrook, as they were partners for many years. Both were assigned to the Fourth District. Stainbrook had just been reassigned to the Fourth District after having been assigned toRead More

END OF WATCH: May 19, 1956 Cleveland Police Department Patrolman Haydu was a ten year veteran of the Cleveland Police Department. During his youth in Pennsylvania, he knew he was destined for a career in police work. Haydu was an avid reader of detective stories, researching through advertisements what was needed to become one ofRead More

END OF WATCH: July 8,1956 Valley View Police Department Age: 45 The murder of Officer Robertson begins with a strange and unusual account of a series of connected incidents. On Saturday July 5 1956, ex-convict, Norman Walker began his Saturday night of terror by hunting for a divorcee who previously dated him. When he foundRead More

END OF WATCH: August 13,1956 Geauga County Sheriffs Office Age: 47 On August 13, 1956, at approximately 10:15 p.m. Deputy Sheriff Howard ‘Jack’ Scott of the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, was struck by a drunk driver while directing traffic on Route 43 in Bainbridge Township, Ohio. Deputy Scott was transported to Marymount Hospital with severeRead More

END OF WATCH: December 26, 1956 Mayfield Heights Police Department Age: 30 A policeman’s job is governed by chance and the unexpected. He never knows from one moment to the next where duty will take him or what the consequences may be. Patrolman Catalano was simply responding to a burglar alarm at the Eastgate ShoppingRead More

END OF WATCH:  May 4, 1957 Wellington Police Department Age: 39 On May 4, 1957, Patrolman Smith was dispatched to a residential disturbance. Apparently, the female homeowner was calling from a neighbor’s home. The female advised, Mr. Walter Byomin called her earlier wanting to see her. The female declined, and now, Walter Byomin and hisRead More