The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversary of their End of Watch.
John S. Reese was appointed a Patrolman with the Cleveland Division of Police on March 13, 1973 and assigned to the 6th District. On August 14, 1976, Patrolman Reese and his partner Stanley Koblinski were dispatched to 10127 South Boulevard regarding a male threatening with a gun. The suspect’s mother stated her son had a gun and was threatening to kill himself. As the officers walked up to the home, they noticed several people on the porch. As they got to the steps, a male got up and pointed a gun to his stomach stating, “I’m not going back to jail.” and shot himself in the abdomen. The suspect fell off the porch, rose to a crouched position and began firing at the officers. Patrolman Reese was wounded but managed to return fire.
Patrolman Reese was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in serious condition. The suspect was shot six times but died of the self-inflicted wound. On September 2, 1976, Patrolman Reese died as a result of his injuries.
Officer Reese was survived by his wife Judith, his parents Sammy and Stella Reese and two sisters. Services were held at St. Phillip Neri Church and he was laid to rest in All Souls Cemetery.