Police

Patrolman Hubert S. Smykowski
Garfield Heights Police Department
End of Watch: October 5, 1976
Age: 45
Badge #13

By: Keith Witkowski, Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society

Hubert Smykowski, Sr. was a police officer in Garfield Heights until he died in action on October 5, 1976. "Bert," as everyone called him, was appointed to the Garfield Heights Police Department on July 16, 1962.

 On October 5^th at 6:00 a.m., Smykowski and other officers responded to a hit-skip accident that involved a car that had crashed into a house on East Boulevard. Witnesses advised that two men left the scene and fled on foot toward Miles Avenue in Cleveland. 

 Smykowski and two other officers searched the area and found two men that matched the description; they chased one suspect to a house on East 126th Street and Miles Avenue where he jumped through the picture window.  Smykowski and the other officers followed and found the suspect in a closet. After a brief struggle, the suspect was handcuffed. Smykowski collapsed on the way to his cruiser and was rushed to Marymount Hospital where he died of a massive heart attack at 6:42 a.m.

The second suspect was arrested a short time later.

Officer Smykowski resided with his family on Shadyoak Boulevard in Garfield Heights. He was survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Joan and their three children, Yvonne, 19, Hubert, Jr., 18, and Jeffery, 13. 

 Mrs. Smykowski said to me, "Don't let anybody tell you that time heals because it doesn't. I remember the day Bert died as if it were yesterday. Bert enjoyed being a cop and loved to keep busy.  He loved working on cars and playing pinochle and especially enjoyed remodeling the house."

It rained the day Bert Smykowski was buried. Many law enforcement officers turned out to honor their fallen comrade; his casket was guarded by two officers while peopled gathered at Rybicki & Son Funeral Home on Turney Road to pay their last respects. The funeral service was held at St. Monica's Church on Rockside Road and officer Smykowski was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

The car involved in the accident was later found to be stolen. The two suspects were apprehended and charged with Patrolman Smykowski's death.

Hubert Smykowski was involved in the implementation of the Police Department computer system. In remembrance, Badge Number 13 is displayed at the Police Department. His name was inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. Panel 39, West Wall, Line 3.

Sergeant Dennis N. Glivar
Garfield Heights Police Department
End of Watch: August 14, 1994
Age: 40

By: Lt. Tom Kaiser, Garfield Heights Police Department

August 14, 1994 will be remembered as one of the most tragic dates in the history of the Garfield Heights Police Department. Sgt. Dennis Glivar, a 17 year veteran of GHPD, was fatally wounded by gunfire after being ambushed by an assassin.

 Sgt. Glivar will be remembered by his wife Debbie as a loving husband who was always at her side. He was a strong and silent type; who never boasted about his mastery of the martial arts or the Gold Medal he received for weightlifting in a police tournament. He was a respected supervisor, who treated his subordinates fairly and led by example.

 On that fateful day in August, Sgt. Glivar and his partner Lt. Kaiser, responded to a call that a man fired a weapon in the parking lot of an apartment complex. En-route, the dispatcher advised that a male had been shot and that Ptl. Cermak was under fire.

Upon arrival, Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser were advised the suspect fled to the rear of the apartment building. Bystanders stated the suspect also shot a man who was in a second floor apartment. Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser cautiously entered the apartment building and found the gunshot victim. They retreated in order to safely escort medical personnel to the victim.

Unfortunately, Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser were unaware the suspect resided in the apartment at the bottom of the stairs. When Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser reached the first floor landing, the suspect, Harry Mitts, flung open his apartment door and fired at the officers. The suspect fired two weapons, a 44 magnum revolver and a 9 mm pistol. Sgt. Glivar was shot seven times in the torso; he stumbled down the hall where he collapsed and died.

Lt. Kaiser was shot in the chest and right hand and managed to return fire and shoot Harry Mitts in the hip and the foot. Despite his wounds, the suspect held police at bay for the next five hours and he was taken into custody by the S.W.A.T. team.

 On Thursday, August 18, 1994, funeral services were held at St. Leo the Great Church and Sgt. Glivar was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery. Thousands of police officers from the local area and as far away as Pittsburgh, PA attended.

 On October 19, 1994, Sgt. Glivar was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor in a ceremony that honored him and his fellow officers for their courage and commitment to duty. On November 17, 1994, these awards and a plaque were presented to his wife.

Harry Mitts received the death penalty and was sentenced to die on August 14, 1995.

 Dennis Glivar's name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Panel 28, E -19.

Patrolman Michael W. Brown
Garfield Heights Police Department
End of Watch: December 8, 1994
Age: 26

By: Ptl. Bryan Cwiklinski, Garfield Heights Police Department

On December 8, 1994, Patrolman Robert Stefanov and Patrolman Michael Brown were killed in an accident while in a high speed pursuit.

Mike chose to serve the public and became a Police Officer. Early on, Mike developed into an excellent officer; if not the first responder, he was often the first available to arrive as back-up. He had great respect for the badge and was honored to wear it.

 I became best of friends with Mike because we worked the same shift for nearly three years. Mike's personality and attitude really made him stand out in a crowd. He was known for his practical jokes and wise-cracks, always in good taste. Mike was dedicated to his job and made sure he stayed in shape through a rigorous exercise regime.

 Off the job, Mike was well known for lending out his Izuzu pick-up. If you needed to move something, Mike was the first volunteer and he never complained. Mike always placed the needs of friends and family before his own. He was at his best when helping others. If you were in a bad mood, Mike made it his mission to make you smile.

 Mike left behind many friends. The person who stole his heart, was his seven year old daughter, Ericka. Mike gave her his undivided attention and he always said he was proud to be her father.

I always looked forward to working a two-man unit with Mike because we were so compatible. I do not think I will ever have this opportunity again. The City of Garfield Heights lost an excellent young patrolman, who will never be replaced.

Michael Brown's name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. panel 34, E -19.

Patrolman Robert A. Stefanov
Garfield Heights Police Department
End of Watch: December 8, 1994
Age: 30

By: Detective Robert Soltis, Garfield Heights Police Department

There was only one thing that Bob Stefanov wanted to do, to follow in his father's footsteps and become a police officer. On September 18, 1989, Bob's dream came true, when he was appointed a Patrolman for the Garfield Heights Police Department.

 A few days later was my luckiest day (although I did not know it at the time). I was asked to be Bob's training officer. After twenty years with the department and having trained my share of "rookies,” I reluctantly said yes.

 I liked Bob immediately. To this day, I am not sure why, though it could have been his happy demeanor or the way he said that could not wait to get on the road.

I did not have to teach Bob too much. He was a natural at this job, always eager to do everything right. He always asked questions about proper procedures and the best way to handle particular situations. I observed Bob in several situations and thought to myself that "this rookie is going to make one great cop." He had terrific “cop instincts” but was compassionate and watched out for his fellow officers. Bob Stefanov was one guy you wanted for back-up.

 I may have trained Bob, but he taught me something in return, the meaning of "true" friendship. We were more than partners, we were best friends. Actually, we were more like father and son. That is how much we cared about one another.

 During our friendship, I learned a lot about Bob. He worked as a security guard at Sears in Randall Mall before being hired at Garfield Heights. He was so proud the day he was sworn in, because he was fulfilled his dream of following in his father's footsteps. He always hoped to be as good a cop as his Dad had been.

 Bob enjoyed talking about his parents and his brother, Joe. However, when he talked about Sue, the love of his life and their children Elizabeth (seven) and Michael (six), there was no stopping him. He would talk endlessly about family activities and the plans he had for their future. He truly loved and treasured every moment he spent with them.

 On December 8, 1994 at approximately 3:00 a.m., our lives changed. Patrolmen Bob Stefanov and Mike Brown observed a suspicious vehicle at McCracken and Broadway Roads. As they approached to investigate, the vehicle drove off. They followed. Dispatchers advised that the owner of the vehicle was wanted on a traffic warrant. The pursuit continued to Lee and Harvard Roads where a vehicle crossed their path and in their attempt to avoid the vehicle, they lost control. Their car struck two utility poles and fatally injured both officers.

 There is a “bond of brothers” between officers. Even so, I felt Bob and I had an extra special bond. I was proud to have trained him, served with him, and above all, to have developed a close friendship with him. Work is not the same - because Bob is not there.

I truly believe that Patrolman Bob Stefanov, Patrolman Mike Brown and Sgt. Dennis Glivar are at peace and with God. I know they are watching over all of us who put our lives on the line everyday and that they are praying that we do not have to make the ultimate sacrifice as they had.

 Robert A. Stefanov's name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Panel 24, E -19.