Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Cleary succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained seven years earlier when he and his partner, Patrolman James Ryan, attempted to apprehend several robbery suspects on West 25th Street in Cleveland. They had located one of the suspects in a rooming house at 1714 W 25th Street in Cleveland, and the man agreed to show them what room the others were in. When the officers went to the room, they were met by an undressed woman who refused to let them in. The officers forced entry, and Officer Ryan began searching the room. When he opened a closet door, he was confronted by the suspect at gunpoint. Patrolman Ryan attempted to draw his weapon and was shot several times. The suspect then ran into the hallway and shot Patrolman Cleary, severing his spine. Although wounded, Patrolman Ryan was able to chase the suspect a short distance and shoot him. The suspect ran to a nearby house, where he collapsed due to a loss of blood. Other officers had followed the blood trail to the house and arrested the man. Patrolman Ryan was transported to Fairview Hospital where he was able to identify the suspect before succumbing to his wounds. Patrolman Cleary was hospitalized and remained in a wheelchair until succumbing to his wounds seven years later. The suspect, who was an escaped felon, was executed on April 22, 1932. Patrolman Cleary had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters. His youngest daughter and granddaughter served with the Cleveland Division of Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-A6631830- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Cleary gave the Cleveland Division of Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cleary.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John J. Cleary 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Cleary's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Cleary Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1932
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Cleary is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Cleary was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
