Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch Thursday, September 2, 1976
Add to My HeroesJohn S. Reese
Patrolman John Reese succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained three weeks earlier after he and his partner responded to a call involving a man with a gun at 10127 South Blvd.
When they arrived at the scene at 12:21 AM, they were told by the suspect's mother that the man wanted to kill himself but had left the home.
The officers patrolled the area around the home for a short time and then returned to the home. As they approached the home, they noticed several people standing on the porch. As they continued to approach the porch, the suspect suddenly yelled out that he was not going back to jail and immediately shot himself in the stomach. The suspect's father then attempted to subdue him but knocked him off the porch. The suspect then began firing at the officers, striking Patrolman Reese. Although wounded, Patrolman Reese was able to return fire and strike the suspect.
The suspect died a short time later as a result of the shot he inflicted upon himself.
Patrolman Reese was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he died three weeks later.
Patrolman Reese was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for three years.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Saturday, August 14, 1976
- Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 22 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman John S. Reese of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 81 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
September 2, 2023
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