Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio, and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

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

September 28, 2024

Thinking of you today on the 53rd anniversary of your death. I will never forget you and the impact your sacrifice had on my life.

Timothy Yaeger
Aux. Police Officer
City of Berea Ohio

September 28, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 28, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 61 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 28, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 28, 2021

Remembering you on this awful day. You are a Hero Officer Tracz. RIP Brother. I got it from here.

Officer Michele Fulton
Reynoldsburg Division of Police

September 28, 2021

Joe:
Thanks for your service and sacrifice to the citizens of Cleveland and the great state of Ohio. As a former paratrooper, I also thank you for your Army Airborne service in Viet Nam. It's obvious that you were a cut above and no doubt an excellent peace officer. You are not forgotten by your brothers and sisters in law enforcement.

Jim Lopey, Asst. Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff (Reno, Nv.) & NVDPS

September 28, 2021

In 2019 I made sure to be at the parole hearing for Tracz’s killer. I wanted to update everyone that the parole was denied for the killer. I will be there in 2029 to be sure his killer serves his life sentence. You will always be a hero’ Officer Tracz.RIP

Officer Michele Fulton
Reynoldsburg Division of Police

October 4, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 52 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

September 28, 2020

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

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

September 28, 2020

I will never forget your sacrifice on that cold September night. I pray for your family often. I was only two years old but due to the tragic event I have recollection of the incident. I remember visiting my father in the hospital as he recovered from his critical wounds from that night. I now follow in my father footsteps to protect and serve. RIP Brother ~Heroes Are Never Forgotten

Officer Michele Fulton
Reynoldsburg Division of Police

September 28, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. of the Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio and the additional 50 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

September 28, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Joseph Phillip Tracz, Jr. Cleveland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 50 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.


End of Watch: Monday, September 28, 1970

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

September 28, 2017

Patrolman Tracz,
On today, the 47th anniversary of your death I would just like to thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 28, 2017

I met Joe in 1965 when we were in the same company in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. I remember Joe has being a big "kid", but very nice, pleasant and helpful. In late 1966 I was sent to Vietnam and assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and Joe went to the 101st Airborne Division, I think. I was shocked when I picked up a magazine in late 1970 and read that Joe had been killed while on duty with the Cleveland Police Department. A few years ago my wife and I visited Cleveland, OH. First thing I did was to go to the PD, get more information, and visit the memorial. I, too, joined law enforcement - A suburban PD of Minneapolis, MN. I think of Joe very often. He really brought goodness to this world.

Patrolman/Detective David Norddan
Brooklyn Park PD and Army buddy

February 28, 2016

I went to high school at Parma Senior High with Joe Tracz. He was the gentle giant in school and he was friendly with everyone saying hello even if he did not know you. I joined the Cleveland Police department two years before Joe and went to his funeral with rank and file numbering over a thousand. I survived and retired after 43 years but I often reflect how Joe was never able to enjoy raising his son with his loving wife. He was a hero in every sense of the word and I will never forget him.

Captain Joseph Sadie
Cleveland Police Dept./Fellow student & Officer.

September 25, 2015

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise... Always honored, never forgotten!

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

September 28, 2014

the dog tag of Joseph p tracz was found in my yard today 8/6/2014 states he was in charlie company

e2

August 6, 2014

I just looked up this site, as I was watching the Peace Officer's Memorial Service that took place this year and was being rerun.

I read what Nancy wrote, and I think she was precious to take the time to write about Joe's son. I have always wondered what became of him growing up without his father, and I've thought of Linda, too. I'm so happy to learn that according to Nancy, Joe's son sounds to be a carbon copy of his father. Nancy, you're a sweetheart for letting us know that!

I do wish I could find Joan (Joe's sister), but living on Torrington in Parma was long, long ago.

I just read that the man who killed Joe was let out of prison in 2009. Life isn't fair, but that murderer has a higher authority to face one day, as all of us do. There will be justice.

God be with all of you who remember Joseph Phillip Tracz.

God bless all who loved him and wrote about him.

Carol Pavlik Wade
Neighbor

June 1, 2014

RIP Officer Tracz and all other felled officers. Thank you Officer Nordan for sharing your story. I am from the younger generation but very much enjoy reading these pages and reflecting on the great sacrifices made during the line of duty.

Thank you again for sharing, and, thank you and your fellow officers for all of your services given to us (JO Q Public) as well.

Best wishes-Jo

JoAnna L. Ball (civilian)
n/a

April 5, 2014

I served with Joe in the same company with the 82nd Airborne Division. I remember him as a great guy. He was a big guy and no surprise that he played football. Orders for Vietnam sent Joe to the 101st and I went to the 173rd. I was shocked to read about his being killed in a Life Magazine article. I went on to become a cop in a large suburb of Minneapolis. I think of him often. When my wife and I visited Cleveland a few years ago - a visit to the PD and the Peace Office Memorial were first to be visited to relive memories and give tribute to a good man.

David Nordan (Retired Detective)
Brooklyn Park , MN Police Dept

December 24, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt T. J. Jones
RTAPD/Greater Cleveland Peace Officer Memorial Society

September 28, 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 43rd anniversary year of your death.

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

August 9, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.
Continue to keep watch over us all.

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

September 28, 2012

I was 14 when I read about you in the newspaper. Your sacrifice impacted my life greatly.
I never became a commissioned officer but I have served as an Auxiliary Police Officer for 34 years in your honor.
I never met nor knew you, but I will never forget you and the impact your death had on me.

Auxiliary Officer T. Yaeger
Berea Police

October 22, 2011