Jerome C. Poelking served in the U.S. Navy for 1 year and 9 months. Jerome served during the years of World War II.
Duty related illness
Captain Jerome Poelking died after contracting an illness as a result of being spat upon.
He and other officers had responded to a robbery call at 11802 Kinsman Road and, when they arrived, discovered the suspects holding 15 hostages in the basement. As Captain Poelking negotiated with the suspects, one of them spat on his face.
When Captain Poelking awoke the following day, he had a temperature of 104º and had difficulty breathing. He was taken to a local hospital and died three days later from meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of his brain and spinal cord.
Captain Poelking had served with the Cleveland Police Department for 30 years.
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In tribute
30 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Poelking gave the Cleveland Division of Police 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Poelking.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
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