Hilary S. Cudnik
Agency patch
Patrol Officer

Hilary S. Cudnik

Cleveland Division of Police — Cleveland, OH
Felonious
End of Watch December 30, 1996
Age 47
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 1939
The Vigil Panel 143 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Hilary Cudnik was shot and killed while making a felony traffic stop on a stolen vehicle. As the suspect exited the vehicle he opened fire with .223 caliber rifle, striking Officer Cudnik in the neck, head, and chest several times. Backup units on the scene returned fire and severely wounded the suspect. Officers on scene immediately transported Officer Cudnik to Mount Sinai Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The 37-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He has his first parole hearing on December 21, 2028. Officer Cudnik had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his mother and three sons.

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.
Patrol Officer Cudnik gave the Cleveland Division of Police 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Cudnik.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.cuyahoga.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 30, 1996
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 47
Badge Number 1939
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Hilary 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.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Hilary was 47. 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. Hilary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cleveland Division of Police has 119 officers remembered here, Hilary among them.

Across the years

Patrol Officer Hilary S. Cudnik

Cleveland Division of Police · End of Watch December 30, 1996

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W

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