East Cleveland Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Wednesday, December 25, 1918
Add to My HeroesPatrick Gaffney
Detective Patrick Gaffney succumbed to a gunshot wound when he was shot at Elm Street and Coit Road area after responding to a report of two men trying to steal a car.
As Detective Gaffney and his partner arrived, the suspects immediately opened fire. During the ensuing foot pursuit and shootout, Detective Gaffney was transported to the East Cleveland Hospital where he died from being struck in the lung.
The suspect who shot Detective Gaffney was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life in prison on December 12, 1920. He died in prison on July 27, 1937.
Detective Gaffney had served with the East Cleveland Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Thursday, December 19, 1918
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Life in prison
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Detective Patrick Gaffney of the East Cleveland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 107 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
December 25, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Ada County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024