Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr.

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch September 28, 1970

Age 27

Tour of Duty 1 yrs

The Vigil Panel 107 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 118

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Tracz was shot and killed, and his partner was seriously injured after they stopped a vehicle occupied by two men for running a stoplight at East 106th Street and St. Clair Avenue at 2 am. As Patrolman Tracz's partner was speaking with the driver, the driver suddenly opened fire with a pistol hitting him in the groin, chest, and mouth. He then shot Patrolman Tracz. Patrolman Tracz's partner managed to crawl back to his cruiser and radio for help. As he crawled back, he saw the gunman shoot Patrolman Tracz a second time in the back, as he lay on the ground. In May of 1972, the suspects, 22 and 23, who had been at large, were arrested after they robbed a bank near the scene of the shooting. A year later, both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Tracz's killer was denied parole on November 9, 2009, and in 2019. His next parole hearing is on August 1, 2029. The other suspect died in prison in 2013. From the time of the shootings until they were apprehended, the two robbed several people and locked them in the trunk of their cars. In 1971 one of their victims died in the trunk of his car. They were never brought to trial for his murder. Patrolman Tracz was a United States Vietnam veteran and had served with the Cleveland Police Department for less than one year. He is survived by his wife and unborn child. Patrolman Tracz had played football at Ohio State University.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and unborn child.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-2941AC32
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 Tracz gave the Cleveland Division of Police 1 year.
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 September 28, 1970

Tour of Duty 1 yrs

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. 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