Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Dennis Glivar was shot and killed by a man who had barricaded himself inside an apartment. While en route to the call, Sergeant Glivar and his partner were advised a male had been shot at the location and another officer was under fire from the suspect. Upon arrival at the scene, Sergeant Glivar and his partner were told the suspect had fled around the rear of the apartment building after he fired at the officers. Bystanders also stated the suspect shot a man who was in one of the second floor apartments. Sergeant Glivar and his partner entered the apartment building and found the gunshot victim. Knowing the victim was in need of medical treatment, Sergeant Glivar and his partner retreated back down the apartment stairway in order to safely escort the medical personnel to the victim. Unknown to the officers the suspect resided in the apartment directly at the bottom of the stairs. When Sergeant Glivar and his partner reached the first floor landing, the suspect flung open his apartment door and fired at the two officers. Sergeant Glivar was shot seven times in his torso and stumbled down the hall, where he collapsed and died at the rear door. Sergeant Glivar's partner was shot in the chest and the right hand but managed to return fire, shooting the suspect in the hip and the foot. Despite his wounds, the suspect continued to hold police at bay for five hours, during which a third police officer was also shot and wounded. The suspect was eventually taken into custody by the department's SWAT team. The subject was convicted and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection on September 25th, 2013. Sergeant Glivar had served with the Garfield Heights Police Department for 17 years. On October 19th, 1994, Sergeant Glivar was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor in a ceremony honoring him and other fellow officers for their courage and commitment to duty.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-22CAD2DA- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dennis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Glivar gave the Garfield Heights Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Garfield Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Glivar.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Dennis N. Glivar 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 Garfield Heights Police Department, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dennis N. Glivar's cause is highlighted.
How Dennis N. Glivar Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 2013
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dennis N. Glivar is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dennis N. Glivar was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Garfield Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
