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Patrolman

Frederick D. Vacha

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch June 20, 1973

Age 25

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Badge 2373

The Vigil Panel 245 · Column 3 · Line 16 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 118

Incident

Patrolman Fred Vacha was shot and killed as he and his partner patrolled a high-crime area as part of the Impact Task Force. The two officers observed a man carrying a handgun on his right side and pulled up alongside him. As Patrolman Vacha called out to the man, the suspect immediately opened fire with a 9mm handgun. One of the rounds struck Patrolman Vacha in the head, killing him instantly. The other officer was struck in the ankle and wounded. The suspect was arrested a short time later. He was sentenced to two life sentences for Patrolman Vacha's death. He was denied parole in 2013 and 2023. His next parole hearing will be in 2033. Patrolman Vacha was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for three years. He was survived by his expectant wife, daughter, mother, father, and three brothers. His son was born seven months after he died.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife, daughter, mother, father, and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Frederick is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Vacha gave the Cleveland Division of Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Cleveland Division of Police

Type Other

Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH

Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 20, 1973

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 25

Badge Number 2373

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Frederick D. Vacha served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Frederick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Frederick was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frederick had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded