Shaker Heights Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch Monday, October 20, 1924
Add to My HeroesMichael J. Hahnel
Patrolman Michael Hahnel was shot and killed while transporting two men to jail.
He and another officer had stopped a car for speeding, at Moreland Boulevard and Lee Road, and placed the two men under arrest. Unbeknownst to the officers, the two men were driving a stolen car and had just robbed a gas station. Patrolman Hahnel was riding in the backseat of their car, which was being driven to the police station, when one of the occupants suddenly turned and shot him. The two then threw his body into a field on Ashwood Road, near East 140th Street, and fled.
Patrolman Hahnel succumbed to his wounds four days later.
One of the suspects was executed for Patrolman Hahnel's murder on April 24th, 1925. The other suspect was sentenced to life.
Patrolman Hahnel had served with the Shaker Heights Police Department for one year. He is buried in St Mary's Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio. He was survived by his father and seven siblings.
Bio
- Age 28
- Tour 1 year
- Badge 7
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Friday, October 17, 1924
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender One executed; One sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Michael J. Hahnel of the Shaker Heights Police Department, Ohio and the additional 67 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
October 20, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Corporal Scotty Canezaro
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: March 26, 2023

Sergeant David Poirrier
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: March 26, 2023

Patrolman Joseph Barlow
McAlester Police Department, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy McCain
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Hermann Police Department, MO
EOW: March 12, 2023

Master Trooper James R. Bailey
Indiana State Police, IN
EOW: March 3, 2023

Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: March 1, 2023

Correctional Officer Jay Miller
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: February 11, 2023

Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 19, 2023