Patrolman Elmer Glaefke
Cleveland Police Department
Ohio
End of Watch: Wednesday, September 12, 1917

Biographical Info
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, September 12, 1917
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Patrolman Glaefke was shot and killed as he and his partner searched three men for concealed weapons at Seager Avenue and East 86th Street at 0205 hours. As the plainclothes officers searched one of the men the other two produced handguns and opened fire, striking Patrolman Glaefke in the head, heart, and abdomen. The three men fled and were pursued by Patrolman Glaefke's partner. The three were eventually apprehended. One of the men was sentenced to life, the second was acquitted, and the third jumped bond and disappeared.

The suspect who jumped bond, Tony Lombardo, resurfaced in 1925 as one of Chicago's most famous gangsters. He used his money and power to get the murder charges against him dropped. In September of 1928 he was shot and killed in Chicago. Police were unable to determine if his assassination was ordered by a rival gangster or was retaliation for Patrolman Glaefke's murder.

The suspect who was sentenced to life was pardoned by Ohio Governor Vic Donahey in 1926. On April 2, 1930, his body was found in the gutter of an east side Cleveland street. He had been shot through the head.

Patrolman Glaefke was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.