END OF WATCH:  April 7, 1969 Cleveland Police Department Age 27 John Apanites Jr. became a Cleveland patrolman at the age of twenty-five and was the son of Cleveland Police Lieutenant John E. Apanites. He resigned from the police force to become an F.B.I agent returning to the police department after six months. John attendedRead More

END OF WATCH:  September 28, 1970 Cleveland Police Department Age: 27 On Monday, September 28, 1970, Officer Joseph P. Tracz had a lot to be thankful for. The former Ohio State football player was about to celebrate his first year as a Cleveland Police Officer. It was a job he loved. A tour of dutyRead More

END OF WATCH:  March 10, 1971 Oberlin Police Department Age: 25 March 10, 1971, Officer Woodall was in area of the Oberlin Reservoir when Woodall’s cruiser ran off the icy road and slid broadside into a tree. Dispatch lost contact with Woodall at 5:10 am, while he was on patrol. After a five minute wait,Read More

END OF WATCH:  April 3, 1971 Cleveland Police Department On April 3rd, 1971, Patrolman Hakaim was assigned to the police radio room at 2001 Payne Avenue. At about 1:50 pm, Patrolman Thomas McLaughlin, #373, also assigned to the radio room, apparently went berserk and began firing his .38 caliber service revolver in the direction ofRead More

END OF WATCH:  May 14, 1971 Cleveland Police Department The danger of being a police officer does not stop at the end of an eight hour shift. A police officer is obligated to perform his duty twenty-four hours a day. This obligation extends to making the ultimate sacrifice of laying down one’s life. This isRead More

END OF WATCH:  January 1, 1972 Newbury Police Department Age: 30 Deputy Sheriffs of Geauga County reported that Chief Chihil was driving east on Ohio 87 on his way to aid Burton Police chasing a speeder when his car smashed head-on into another vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road. The accident tookRead More

END OF WATCH:  October 25, 1972 Parma Heights Police Department Age:44 Death, while a tragedy, is comforted knowing a man who was also a dedicated police officer and devoted husband and father gave his life in defending his friends, family and community. Sergeant Bennett, a 44 year old veteran police officer, gave his life inRead More

END OF WATCH:  January 11, 1973 Cleveland Police Department Age: 27 On January 11, 1973, East Cleveland Patrolman Richard T. Miller was operating his police cruiser in the area of Emily and Fay when he attempted to stop an auto for a traffic violation. The auto contained five males. When the car stopped, all fiveRead More

END OF WATCH:  June 20, 1973 Cleveland Police Department Fellow officers described Fred Vacha as a somewhat quiet and easy-going guy. In 1970, Fred Vacha was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department and initially assigned to the Fourth District. A lengthy lay off in 1971 interrupted Officer Vacha’s police career however, after his recall, FredRead More

END OF WATCH:  April 26, 1974 Cleveland Police Department Officers often said William Shapiro was born to be a policeman. Bill grew up in a law enforcement family and was quite proud of his father, who was a career Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent. Bill started his law-enforcement career as a civilian employee for theRead More