Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch Monday, December 8, 1975
Add to My HeroesJerome C. Poelking
Captain Jerome Poelking died after contracting an illness as a result of being spat upon.
He and other officers had responded to a robbery call at 11802 Kinsman Road and, when they arrived, discovered the suspects holding 15 hostages in the basement. As Captain Poelking negotiated with the suspects, one of them spat on his face.
When Captain Poelking awoke the following day, he had a temperature of 104ยบ and had difficulty breathing. He was taken to a local hospital and died three days later from meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of his brain and spinal cord.
Captain Poelking had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 30 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Bio
- Age 56
- Tour 30 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Duty related illness
- Incident Date Friday, December 5, 1975
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsMay you continue to rest in peace in Heaven, Captain Poelking.
Patrolman Kenneth Collins
South Amherst Police Department
December 9, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025

Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Jr.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 2, 2025