Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Stephen Kovach was shot and killed after he and his partner attempted to stop a hit-and-run driver just after midnight. Unbeknownst to the officers, the driver had just committed two armed robberies and was operating a stolen car. The driver attempted to flee but crashed his car at East 40th and Cedar Streets in Cleveland. As Patrolman Kovach's partner approached the vehicle, the driver jumped out and opened fire with a .38 caliber handgun, striking him in the chest between the panels on his vest. The partner returned fire, wounding the assailant. As Patrolman Kovach approached, the assailant continued to fire, striking him twice in the neck and killing him. The officer continued to fire from the ground, fatally wounding the assailant. Patrolman Kovach had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 7 years and was assigned to the Third District. He had served in law enforcement for a total of 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-DDEB1B23- 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 Kovach gave the Cleveland Division of Police 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kovach.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Stephen M. Kovach 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. Stephen M. Kovach's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen M. Kovach Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen M. Kovach is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Stephen M. Kovach was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
