The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversaries of their End of Watch.
William Nagy was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department on September 16, 1965 and assigned to the 2nd District.
On May 14, 1971, at approximately 2:20 a.m., off duty Patrol Officer William Nagy walked into the Royal Castle Restaurant at West 25th Street and Detroit to get something to eat.
Nagy entered the restaurant in the midst of a robbery in progress. Waitresses were behind the cash register where Sydney Means was demanding the day’s receipts at gun point. Attempting to stop the robbery, Nagy drew his weapon and ordered the robber to “freeze.” The robber, Sydney Means, responded by shooting Nagy. Nagy quickly returned the fire, killing his assailant.
A police car patrolling nearby was alerted to the robbery and the shoot-out. The other officers arrived during the gun fight but could not save the fallen officer. Patrol Officer William Nagy was pronounced dead at Lutheran Hospital and his assailant was pronounced dead at St. Vincent Charity Hospital.
Officer Nagy was survived by his parents Bela and Pauline Nagy and sister Mary Ann Engel. Services were held at the Louis A. Bodnar and Son Funeral Chapel and he was laid to rest in West Park Cemetery.
