CINCINNATI POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY 1926 - 1950
 
 
Patrolman Jacob Huber
Patrolman Jacob Huber died in during 1926 as a result of complications from a stabbing wound he received in a struggle with a bootlegger.

Patrolman Olin C. Wilson, Sr.
Age: 11/10/1893
Served: 2 years
March 16, 1926 to May 16, 1927
On May 16, 1927, Patrolman Wilson, while off duty, approached John Coverson, an eighteen-year-old black male, about shots fired into a boarding house. When the patrolman called out to Coverson, he shot Patrolman Wilson three times at 621 Cutter Street. An angry group of citizens overpowered Coverson and held him for police. Patrolman Wilson died at General Hospital, becoming the first black law enforcement officer to die in the service of Cincinnati.

Patrolman Wilson left a brother, Patrolman Robert A. Wilson Sr., with whom he worked in District Four, two nephews, Melvin C. Wilson and William Wilson, and a niece, Lillian Wilson-Grigsby. Robert retired in 1947. Melvin became a Jailer for Cincinnati and later worked for the Water Works. William became a Cincinnati Police Patrolman and served 42 years from 1945 to 1987. Lillian became the first black female law enforcement officer hired by Cincinnati in 1947. She served until 1965 and then worked at Hamilton County Felony Probation Office until 1982. Patrolman Olin Wilson’s great nephew, Robert G. Wilson III, served on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department from 1971 to 1989. His great grandniece joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer in 1989 and still serves.

John Coverson was charged, convicted, and executed eight months later on January 9, 1928. This was the fourth person executed for murder of a Cincinnati policeman.

 

Patrolman Sargent M. Willis
Served almost 2 years
March 16, 1928 to April 23, 1930

On April 22, 1930, Patrolman Willis and others were raiding a still at Faraday Road near Baltimore Pike. During the raid, there was a gasoline explosion which injured Patrolman Willis. He died the next day, April 23.

Patrolman William O. Sorrell
Served 3 years
March 16, 1928 to November 25, 1931

Patrolman Sorrel died March 24, 1931 from gunshot wounds received when he entered a drugstore at Betts and Linn Street where a holdup was in progress.

Patrolman Joseph Duffy
Served almost 17 years
September 4, 1915 to December 29, 1932
Patrolman Duffy died December 29, 1932 as a result of an accidental fall while cleaning windows at Patrol House Number 3.

Patrolman J. Roy Hicks
Age : 28
Served: 4½ years
October 16, 1930 to February 25, 1935
On February 25, 1935, at 7:00 a.m., Victor Pepper of 4379 West Eighth Street found Patrolman J. Roy Hicks, of 3623 Laclede Avenue, unconscious on the side of the road on about 4400 West Eighth Street near Hermosa Avenue. An investigation revealed he was chasing a speeding maroon automobile outbound on West Eighth Street. His motorcycle hit a curb and he was thrown from it striking an iron pole with his head. He died three hours later with a fractured skull and internal injures.

His brother, Harry Hicks, a District Four patrolman, was at his side. Three weeks prior to the accident, Patrolman Hicks was transferred to the Station X Motorcycle Squad. Eight days prior, he blew the bugle at the 3rd Annual Police Memorial services at the Emery Auditorium.

Services were held at his home. Six fellow officers served as pall bearer: Robert Leigh, Clifford Rhein, Fay Gallaher, Henry Heller, William Kelleher, and Henry Zimpelman.
He was survived by his widow, Bernice, and two small daughters, Mollie, 5, and Carol, 1. His widow received $70 a month thereafter as widow's pension. While his brother, Harry, attended the funeral, his furnace caught fire and his house at 4121 West Liberty burned. Patrolman Hicks’s eventual grandson, Donald Hasselbeck, and great grandsons Matt and Tim Hasselbeck, became professional football players. Don and Matt played in Superbowls XVIII and XL, respectively.

After Patrolman Hick's accident, and because he "lay on the cold, damp ground half an hour before a patrol was available to take him to the hospital," the City purchased in March 1935 seven new "Combination Cruiser/Invalid Cars," each equipped with two stretchers and first aid kits. These were later called Scout Cars and still exist today.

Detective Sergeant John A. Cameron
Served 15¼ years
January 14, 1910 to April 26, 1935
On April 26, 1935, Detective Sergeant Cameron was shot and killed by Lindsay Cyrus as he was attempting to arrest two payroll robbery suspects at 1013 West Eighth Street.
Patrolman Howard E. Bietman
Served 10 years
August 5, 1925 to October 1, 1935
Patrolman Bietman, on September 25, 1935, was struck while on his motorcycle by a reckless driver at Schiller and Hughes Streets. Patrolman Bietman died six days later on October 1, 1935.
 
Patrolman Harry L. Ward
Served 31 years
July 30, 1906 to January 21, 1937
Patrolman Ward, after rowing a boat for twelve hours in the rain during the Great Flood, died of a heart attack on January 21, 1937.
Patrolman Charles Kneisel
Served 26½ years
April 5, 1911 to December 17, 1937
Patrolman Kneisel, while responding to a radio call on December 17, 1937 suffered fatal injuries when his car skidded on wet street car rails and crashed into a loading dock.
Patrolman Julius Mayer, Jr.
Served 1 year, 1 month
February 1, 1939 to March 16, 1940
On March 16, 1940, Patrolman Mayer attempted to arrest ex-convict Walter F. Whitaker at 107 West Sixth Street for a burglary at 920 Race Street. Whitaker shot and killed Patrolman Mayer.
Patrolman Robert D. Leigh
Served: 9¼ years
October 16, 1930 to April 27, 1940
Patrolman Leigh was killed instantly on April 27, 1940 when his police motorcycle collided with an automobile being driven out of a private driveway at 2719 Reading Road.

 

 
 
Patrolman Earle H. Biddle, Jr.
During 1945, Patrolman Biddle was drafted into the United States Army and died in battle.
Detective Fred Seebohm
Served: 39 years
November 13, 1907 to January 23, 1947
Detective Seebohm died January 23, 1947 as a result of an accident between his auto and a motorbus in Northside.
 
Patrolman Lewis William Hall
Served: 7 months
April 16, 1948 to November 30, 1948
Patrolman Hall died November 30, 1948, from injuries sustained when his motorcycle left the road while he was apparently chasing a speeder on Queen City Avenue.

These accounts are collected, collated, compiled and updated by members of the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society (www.GCPHS.com). If you have pictures, newspaper clippings, facts, artifacts, and information involving any slain law enforcement officers in the Greater Cincinnati area, including their dependants, spouses, and descendants, please contact the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society at skramer@gcphs.com.