Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch: Sunday, March 31, 1940
Age: 56
Tour of Duty: 22 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Duty related illness
Date of Incident: May 12, 1924
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Otto Ziska died of an illness he contracted after rescuing several people from a building fire 16 years earlier.
Patrolman Ziska repeatedly entered a burning building to rescue trapped civilians. As a result, Officer Ziska inhaled large quantities of poisonous gasses that were emitting from the burning building. Officer Ziska was in continuous ill health after that incident but continued to work. Officer Ziska succumbed to heart disease he contracted as a result of exposure to harmful fumes.
Officer Ziska had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 22 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.