Cincinnati Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Wednesday, July 17, 1974
Add to My HeroesDavid L. Cole
Patrolman David Cole was shot and killed after responding to an alarm call at a local business. When he arrived on the scene he observed two men walking nearby. As he approached them they opened fire, wounding him twice. One of the suspects then took Patrolman Cole's revolver and shot him again. Patrolman Cole was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Both suspects, both 23, were sentenced to death but had the sentences commuted to life. One of the men was paroled in 1991 and moved to California. The other suspect has been denied parole four times and the next hearing is on March 1, 2027.
Patrolman Cole had been with the agency for five years. His father was also a Cincinnati Police Officer. He is buried in Saint Peter Cemetery, New Richmond, Ohio. He was survived by his wife, parents, and four siblings.
In September 2021, a street near Florence and Gilbert Avenues in Walnut Hills was named after Patrolman David Cole.
Bio
- Age 24
- Tour 5 years
- Badge P160
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, July 14, 1974
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Two sentenced to life. One paroled
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman David L. Cole of the Cincinnati Police Department, Ohio and the additional 87 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
July 17, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Master Patrol Officer Clarence "CJ" Williams
Cairo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 28, 2023

Supervisory Officer Jacqueline Montanaro
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, US
EOW: January 14, 2023

Police Officer Carl Douglas Kimball
St. Francisville Police Department, LA
EOW: January 12, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 13, 2023

Court Services Officer Curtis Matthew Worland
Alaska State Troopers, AK
EOW: December 13, 2022

Chief of Police Justin McIntire
Brackenridge Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: January 2, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: December 29, 2022

Corporal Ray Charles Hamilton
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: December 24, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Corey D. McElroy
Garrett County Sheriff's Office, MD
EOW: December 21, 2022