The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the stories of our Fallen Officers on the anniversaries of their End of Watch.
William Greller was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department on December 16, 1958 and was assigned to the 3rd District. One hundred ninety-one dollars and fifty-three cents. This is the price that was paid for Bill Greller’s life.
On September 18, 1964, Patrolmen Greller and his partner John C. Delaney were called to a routine investigation regarding a theft of a package of meat from the A. and G. Meat Company, 7312 Wade Park Avenue. By coincidence, a robbery was in progress in the office of the meat company when the officers arrived.
As Greller walked into the office, he was shot at point-blank range by the robber, Earl M. Jones, who was surprised by the policeman. As Delaney started to draw his gun, he was shot in the right arm, numbing it. Switching his gun to his left hand, Delaney emptied his gun at Jones, who was firing from about five feet away, until Jones fell to the floor. Patrolman Greller died from extensive bleeding caused by two chest wounds. The robber was killed by Delaney’s shots.
Greller was survived by his wife Lenore and sons Sean, 8, Bill, 4, Mike 2, and Patrick, eight months. Following services St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Rocky River Drive, Officer Greller was laid to rest in Holy Cross cemetery.
