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Patrolman

John J. Cleary

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH

Felonious

End of Watch January 4, 1938

Age 38

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Badge 967

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 118

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

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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

Department Cleveland Division of Police

Type Other

Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH

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

Service Record

End of Watch January 4, 1938

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 38

Badge Number 967

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

John was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded