Keeping "The Promise"
END OF WATCH: August 6, 1918 Cleveland Police Department On November 16, 1913, Alfred Ressler was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department and almost five years later, he would find himself assigned to a unit in the department that was still attempting to gain acceptance from some police officials and members of the public. ItRead More
END OF WATCH: December 25, 1918 East Cleveland Police Department Age: 35 Patrolman Patrick Gaffney was appointed to the East Cleveland Police Department on March 15, 1911, and was a well- respected officer throughout his career. On December 18, 1918, Patrolman Gaffney, along with his partner Captain Patrick Hendricks responded to the Elm and CoitRead More
END OF WATCH: March 9, 1919 Cleveland Police Department Patrolman William P. Armstrong, was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department on June 20, 1915. He was a graduate of South High School and his education prompted police authorities to urge him to work in the office. Patrolman Armstrong felt the office work was not excitingRead More
END OF WATCH: July 16, 1919 Willoughby Township Marshal’s Office Weather; Fair-Wed. P.M. and Thr., Temp. Rising Thursday with moderate N. winds, becoming variable on Thursday. Tribe open, with the Red Sox at League Park, Babe Ruth is on roster of players to play that day with the Red Sox. Early Wednesday morning Marshall MaloneyRead More
END OF WATCH: September 26, 1919 Cleveland Police Department On Thursday, September 24, 1919, while patrolling Cleveland’s downtown district just before midnight, Patrolman Frank Moranz encountered a suspicious male loitering in an alley near Prospect and Ontario Avenues. As Patrolman Moranz approached to question the male, a second subject attacked him from behind. A struggleRead More
END OF WATCH: December 1, 1919 Cleveland Police Department Age: 38 William C. Isaac, an amateur baseball player and nephew of a former Lieutenant (Albert Isaac, now retired), was appointed to the police force on May 11, 1906. Serving as a patrolman for six years, he was then appointed to the Detective Bureau and laterRead More
END OF WATCH: December 7, 1919 Cleveland Police Department Age: 43 On Sunday, December 7, 1919, shortly after 2:00 am, Patrolman Robert Shelton, was shot and killed in the line of duty. Shelton was the second officer to be killed within a week and the fourth officer killed in less than a year. On DecemberRead More
END OF WATCH: August 28, 1920 Maple Heights Police Department Age: 48 Marshal John Vapenik was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle as he patrolled Libby Road for whiskey runners. As he rounded a curve on the road his motorcycle was struck from behind by a car that was following him. HeRead More
END OF WATCH: September 8, 1920 Cleveland Heights Police Department Age: 42 On Thursday, September 2, 1920 at 3:00 a.m. Patrolman Ralph W. Newnes notified Captain Connolly at the police station his discovery of burglars in the basement of the Miller Drug Company store at 2135 Cedar Road. Captain Connolly and several patrolmen returned toRead More
END OF WATCH: October 18, 1920 Cleveland Police Department Age: 26 Walter J. Pruehs was a patrolman for five years attached to the flying squad unit, when he was shot and killed by three armed gunmen on October 18, 1920. On October 18, 1920, Officer Pruehs noticed three men loitering and acting suspiciously on theRead More
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