Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio
End of Watch Monday, December 30, 1996
Reflections for Patrol Officer Hilary S. Cudnik
Very heartfelt, what a wonderful reflection ,Thank you very much, god bless .
retired police officer May 20, 2016
Cleveland
Rest in peace, sir.
May your family be honored by your sacrifice.
You will NEVER be forgotten.
USMC
Friend
December 30, 2015
Hillary, thank you for those donuts, that you gave me that night. But I'll always regret, not being there with you, that horrible and tragic night.
I'll miss you, until the day we meet again.
Till then, may our Lord Jesus Christ welcome you into His Kingdom.
Love,
Sarg
Linda Bouc, Sgt. Retired
Cleveland Police Dept.
December 30, 2015
Not all can say they were men among boys, but in the way you worked and the way you carried yourself, you were!!!!
Det.kime#2575
Cleveland PD
December 30, 2015
I was in the zone car behind you .As everyone thought when the car you were after slide into the wall. Here comes the foot chase.No one thought of what happened next. We got him, but at too high a cost.We miss you. R.I.P.
P.O. E. Cooper
Cleveland Police
December 30, 2015
Can't believe how fast the time has gone since that night.
It feels like yesterday sometimes. We're still thinking about you. Thanks for watching over us.
Sgt. T.R.
CPD
December 30, 2015
I will never forget December 30, 1996...it was the FIRST day I transferred from the 4th District to the Airport Unit, after having been injured on the job. I've always felt that if I were still working 3rd shift, I could've been there and maybe had a chance to prevent this tragedy. I will never forget you and just know that because of your courage and selflessness, many officers are BETTER officers! Thank you for your ultimate gift, Hilary.
CPD Officer Retired Tracy Cushler
Cleveland
May 12, 2015
Al orges paramedic Msmc Hillary May be gone but never forgotten
Al Orges paramedic
Hillary is gone but not forgotten
May 1, 2015
IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise... Always honored, never forgotten.
Sgt. T. J. Jones.
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio
December 30, 2014
Not Forgotten...
Robyn Brown
RN
December 7, 2014
After working with Hillary who was my partner on 4th platoon I respected him and his police work, I will never forget that it can happen to any One , RIP as I pass Holy Cross I pray to see him in a better place.
Patrol Officer
Cleveland Police retired
April 21, 2014
Hilary I think about you often, you were a good friend and an excellent Police Officer we had a lot of laughs working together. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Your legacy will live on as I see your reflection in your sons faces.
Its never good bye, until we see each other again.
Lieutenant David Carroll #8473
Cleveland Police Department
December 31, 2013
IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.
Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio
December 30, 2013
Dad, I can't believe how long it has been since you were taken from our lives. I miss you more than words can describe. It makes me smile reading these comments. I hope I can be a positive influence in people's lives like you have been. I look forward to the day that I can see you again.
I am missing you more than normal today but I know it will be ok. I miss and love you very much.
Danny
Son
November 22, 2013
I served with him Graduated with him and was born Aug 4,1951. Hillary was born Aug 4,1950. He was a good police Officer and I was proud to be his Partner on the 4th platoon. We where in many scrapes and arrests, he always had my Back. May he rest in peace and may his wife Donna and Kids also find peace.
Ptl. David Morley #971
Cleveland,Ohio Police Dept.
December 21, 2012
I drove you to Sinai that night. I heard you brething in the backseat.... I watched them cut your uniform off and massage your heart. I watched you take your last breath. All these years later I think about it all the time. I will never get those images from my mind. Remember everyone, that night was such a boring sunday. We all just had going home on our mind.. No night on the street should be considered boring. Hell could break loose and it did. RIP your not and never will be forgotten.
Det. John A Foster #1863
Cleveland Police Department
January 2, 2012
Your heroism and service is honored today, the 15th anniversary 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.
You will always be honored and revered as time never diminishes, I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Rest In Peace
Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
December 30, 2011
It does not seem like 14 years have passed since my friend and Academy classmate Hilary's life was cut short in a senseless act of cowardice. My life and the lives of those in our class have been forever changed. Your sense of humor, your style, your finesse, and your courage have made us all better people and better police officers. RIP my brother.
Sgt. Deirdre Jones
Cleveland, Ohio PD
December 30, 2010
The talks, the laughs, the freindship will nmever be forgotten. I speak and think of you often and truely miss my freind and partner.
1772 / 9861
December 30, 2010
Thank You Hilary for watching out for us rookies. God Bless You, we miss You.
Chuck Davis
Cleveland Police
December 30, 2010
Officer Cucdnik, I took care of this assailant 11 years ago in the ICU at Mt. Sinah. You know there are not many days that go by for me, that I do not think of you.
My peers were desperate to Help you, but it was not meant to be...I heard many stories about you coming into that ER laughing and joking with many of my peers...They loved YOU...
Gone, but not forgotten!
Jaye RN
Jaye Cleveland Ohio
Citizen
March 29, 2010
May God's grace sustain you, May His arms hold you. My deepest sympathy to each of you who knew, loved and worked with Officer Cudnik. My prayers are with you.
Officer Cudnik, Thank you for your service to your country, you will be missed but never forgotten, as our Hero's live forever in our hearts.
Ohio
Anonymous
October 28, 2008
You are a terrific person, and a terrific friend & police officer, keep up the amazing work...god bless you hilary
450
cpd
July 18, 2008
HILARY,
IT HAS BEEN OVER 11YRS SINCE I LAST RESPONDED ON A RUN THAT YOU RESPONDED TO AS WELL. I THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND WANTED TO SHARE A WORK RELATED STORY WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW OFFICERS.
IT WAS A COLD RAINY DAY AND I WAS DISPATCHED TO AN EMERGENCY INTERVENTION, KNOWING THAT CLEVELAND'S FINEST WOULD BE RESPONDING AS WELL. ME BEING USE TO BEING THE 1ST AND USUALLY THE ONLY RESONDING OFFICER ON A SCENE, WENT AHEAD AND ENTERED INTO THE APARTMENT (A ROWHOUSE IN THE VANGUARD APTS) PRIOR TO BACK UP ARRIVING.
AFTER, ENTERING INTO THE DWELLING, SPEAKING TO SOMEONE, WHO APPEARED TO BE THE CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBER(I WAS WRONG).
I FOUND MYSELF TOE-TO-TOE WITH A FORMER HEAVY WEIGHT #1 RANKED CONTENDER IN HIS LATE FORTIES WHO STOOD ABOUT 6' 5" 250#S WHO WAS STILL SOLID PHYSICALLY, BUT MENTALLY HAD ALL OF HIS SCREWS LOOSENED A FEW TO MANY TURNS; STANDING BETWEEN ME AND MY EXIT.
AFTER EXPECTING THE WORST AND DANCING IN CIRCLES FOR WHAT SEEMED TO BE ABOUT 10MINS ACTUALLY ONLY ABOUT 2 OR 3MINS.
IN WALKED YOU AND YOUR PARNTER. YOU WERE JUST SMILING. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. BECAUSE ALL I PICTURED WAS THE BOXER GOING BALLISTIC BECAUSE NOW THERE WERE THREE OF US IN HIS HOME WANTING TO TAKE HIM AWAY...
THEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE BOXER STOPPED BEING AGRESSIVE AND STARTED LAUGHING AND YOU GUYS WERE CALLING EACH OTHER BY NAME, BECAUSE THIS WAS LIKE THE 5TH TIME YOU HAD MADE AN E.I.ON THE GUY.
YOU JUST CAME IN AND TOOK OVER-YOU HAD A PERSONALITY THAT EASILY WON PEOPLE OVER...I KNOW THAT EVERYONE MISSES YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS. THEY NOW TEACH CERTIFICATION CLASSES FOR OFFICERS TO ACQUIRE THOSE SKILLSTHAT CAME TO YOU SO NATURALLY.
I THINK THAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT WAS IN 1995 AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.
YOU ARE MISSED AND I TO THIS DAY HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!
REST EASY PATROLMAN
DEPUTY MORRISON
MCSD(IN)/FORMER OHIO PEACE OFFICER
March 3, 2008
"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission
Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
December 31, 2007
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