Louis Golonka

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch July 23, 1968

Age 33

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

The Vigil Panel 104 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 118

Incident

Patrolman Golonka, Lieutenant Leroy Jones, and Patrolman Willard Wolff were shot and killed during the Glenville Riots. Patrolman Golonka was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Cleveland Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons. The five days of riots began in the city's Glenville neighborhood when two civilian tow truck drivers, wearing uniforms similar to police uniforms, were shot in an ambush by heavily armed snipers while checking an abandoned car. Over 50 officers responded to the initial shooting call and were ambushed by heavily armed militants. A total of seven people were killed and 15 wounded in the ensuing gunfire. Patrolman Wolff was one of the first officers on the scene and was shot in the face by a high-powered rifle. Lieutenant Jones was shot and killed while on foot at the corner of East 124th and Auburndale. Patrolman Golonka was shot and killed when he and other officers pursued several of the snipers into an alley and exchanged gunfire with them. The leader of the militant group eventually turned himself in after 200 National Guard personnel were mobilized. The man was convicted and sentenced to death in the electric chair. Several of the other militants were arrested and convicted as well.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-0268FABC
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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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 Golonka gave the Cleveland Division of Police 9 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

Location Cleveland, OH

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

Service Record

End of Watch July 23, 1968

Tour of Duty 9 yrs

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; Semi-automatic

Offender Leader died in prison in 1978

Military Service

Louis Golonka served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Louis Golonka is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.

Cleveland Division of Police

of 119 officers

69.7% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious