Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch: Sunday, March 11, 1984
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 763
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 11, 1984
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman Stephen Kovach was shot and killed after he and his partner attempted to stop a hit-and-run driver just after midnight.
Unbeknownst to the officers, the driver had just committed two armed robberies and was operating a stolen car. The driver attempted to flee but crashed his car at East 40th and Cedar Streets in Cleveland.
As Patrolman Kovach's partner approached the vehicle, the driver jumped out and opened fire with a .38 caliber handgun, striking him in the chest between the panels on his vest.
The partner returned fire, wounding the assailant. As Patrolman Kovach approached, the assailant continued to fire, striking him twice in the neck and killing him. The officer continued to fire from the ground, fatally wounding the assailant.
Patrolman Kovach had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 7 years and was assigned to the Third District. He had served in law enforcement for a total of 10 years. He was survived by his sister.