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Officer Ronald D. Rotruck | Akron Police Department, Ohio Akron Police Department, Ohio

Officer

Ronald D. Rotruck

Akron Police Department, Ohio

End of Watch: Tuesday, July 21, 1964

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 28

Tour: 5 years

Badge # 4

Cause: Weather/Natural disaster

Incident Date: 7/21/1964

Weapon: Not available

Suspect: Not available

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Officer Ronald Rotruck was killed in a cave-in of the West Tallmadge Parkway while attempting a rescue. A vehicle had fallen into the section of roadway that had collapsed and the occupants, a woman, her daughter, and a neighbor's child, were trapped. Officer Rotruck and a civilian entered the hole using a rope being held by other bystanders.

They managed to free the woman and one of the girls but, as the cave-in continued to expand, Officer Rotruck, the citizen, and the girl were killed.

Officer Rotruck had served with the Akron Police Department for 5 years. He was survived by his wife and three young daughters.

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This is a haunting story of true valor. Officer Rotruck was a great, selfless man.

Officer Rotruck's story was told to us in the police academy 28 years ago. I will never forget the sacrifice he made for the citizens of Akron and the heartbreak his young family must have felt at the time.

May he rest in peace and know that his brothers and sisters in blue pray each night for the courage to follow in his footsteps.

EAD

Captain Elizabeth Daugherty
Akron Police Department
July 21, 2011

 

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