The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversary of their End of Watch.
On November 16, 1913, Alfred Ressler was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department and almost five years later, he would find himself assigned to a unit in the department that was still attempting to gain acceptance from some police officials and members of the public.
It was the dawn of a new era, not only in police circles, but in the way the world would soon rely on to convey people and goods from one place to another. It was the time of the horseless carriage.
Patrolman Ressler was assigned to control the speed and safe operation of these machines from his police motorcycle. It must have been quite a job. Manufacturers, experienced in turning out bicycles and sewing machines now turned their attention to making automobiles. The driving public was limited only to those who were not blind, crippled or crazy. This was the job facing the motorcycle officer of 1918.
On August 5, 1918, Alfred Ressler was killed in an accident when his police motorcycle was struck by an auto. Patrolman Ressler became the first of too many officers that have died in the performance of their duty in motor vehicle accidents. Ressler was interred at Woodland Cemetery.