The Cleveland Police Museum is honored to tell the story of our Fallen Officers on the anniversary of their End of Watch.
William Hudec was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department on March 1, 1941 and was a policeman for fourteen years. He had a brother, Lieutenant Raymond Hudec who was an active member of the Police Department. Hudec resided at 1910 East 93rd Street and was divorced. He had a daughter, Majel Lee, who was on road tour with an off-Broadway road company when an accident claimed her father’s life. She later married Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek.
Longtime partners Hudec and Stainbrook worked a Police ambulance and were called “wagon men”. On August 30, 1955, Hudec and Stainbrook had just completed an assignment and were returning to the District when the fatal accident occurred.
EOW Aug 30, 1955
Witnesses stated the ambulance approached the railroad crossing at East 91st Street, hesitated, and then proceeded across the tracks. Moving too fast to stop, a train struck the left side of the vehicle, throwing it into the air and causing both men to be thrown out.
Neighbors called the emergency police number for help but confusion broke out when radio dispatch attempted to call Hudec to dispatch his ambulance to the scene. Both Hudec and Stainbrook were pronounced dead on arrival when transported to St. Luke’s Hospital.
Services were held at Vodrazka Funeral Home, 3315 E. 55 Street with interment at White Haven Memorial Park.
