Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Ronald D. Rotruck of the Akron Police Department, Ohio, and the additional 70 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 21, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Ronald D. Rotruck of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 66 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

July 21, 2021

Officer Ronald Rotruck - it is officers like you that continue to redefine the standards of being a good police officer. What an amazing story of fidelity to service on your part, and to citizenship on the part of the civilian that joined you in the joint quest of the noblest of human endeavors - saving someone's life. No matter how challenging the job seems to be in 2020, we can find strength in the example you set in demonstrating how one goes about their duty.

May God Bless you and your civilian partner, along with the child who's life the two of you so valiantly raced to save. And to the family of Officer Ronald Rotruck: thank you for sharing him with his community and our profession.

NC Officer

July 21, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 21, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Rotruck.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Ronald D. Rotruck of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

July 23, 2018

Thanks to all of the law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to keep up us safe. God bless the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The officers and our community have been so caring and helpful to my family over the years, it's greatly appreciated.

Debi Foss
Daughter

July 11, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgottten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

July 21, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 49th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

January 14, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and colleagues.
Continue to watch over us.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department

July 21, 2012

This is a haunting story of true valor. Officer Rotruck was a great, selfless man.

Officer Rotruck's story was told to us in the police academy 28 years ago. I will never forget the sacrifice he made for the citizens of Akron and the heartbreak his young family must have felt at the time.

May he rest in peace and know that his brothers and sisters in blue pray each night for the courage to follow in his footsteps.

EAD

Captain Elizabeth Daugherty
Akron Police Department

July 21, 2011

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.

Linda Docy
Daughter

October 11, 2009

RIP.You will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved you.

Anonymous

October 9, 2008

MY BROTHER, YOUR SACRIFICE SHOULD BE TOLD BY EVERY POLICE ACADEMY IN THIS GREAT NATION. TO ME, ALL POLICE OFFICER'S ARE HERO'S. BUT YOUR SACRIFICE IS A STORY OF A TRUE HERO. YOU DEFINED THE TRUE NATURE OF A POLICE OFFICER. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR SURVIVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WELL AS COWORKER'S. MAY YOU NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. HOPE TO MEET YOU ONE DAY IN HEAVEN.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 21, 2007

I was born and raised in Akron, and can still recall this story being told to me by my father. I'm glad that this memorial exists to remember the good works of hero's like Officer Rotruck. He will never be forgotten.

Officer John Valeri
U.S. Customs and border Protection

January 25, 2007

I was born on this day. The day that this brave person gave his life to protect others.

wade anthony
born Tuesday July 21st 1964
abilene, texas

wade lowe anthony
born on this day

August 29, 2006

We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, and hope that those who did not perish in this accident have made their life a joyous one.

Lori
daughter

August 8, 2006

TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER ROTRUCK:
MY YOU FIND SOME COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT YOU REMAIN IN THE HEARTS AND PRAYERS OF MANY. WE'LL NEVER FORGET HIM.

OHIO
pray for our troops
overseas, and those who keep our streets safe everyday here. God bless.

August 2, 2005

May God continue you to grant you eternal peace, and bring peace and comfort to your loved ones.

January 19, 2005

Officer Rotruck,

Rest in Peace Brother...Never forgotten...

Officer
NC

August 7, 2004

Thousands of cars pass every day over the spot where you unselfishly gave your life, answering the call to serve and protect. I only wonder how many people in those thousands of vehicles actually think of you, and why West Tallmadge Parkway is now Memorial Parkway.

Patrolman Michael Williams
Akron Police Department

March 10, 2004

I was 17 years old when Ronald Rotruck gave his life for the citizens of Akron. Ohio. I will always remember reading about his heroic act in the Beacon Journal. I was very saddened by his death, however I knew that he did not die in vain. I will always remember him as long as I live and I kept his memory with me throughout my 31 year law enforcement career. May God Bless His Soul.

MPO III Daryl E. Delagrange, Ret.
High Point, NC Police Dept

You died so that others might live. God speed and rest easy. We will continue for you.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)