CPD Officer Sonny Kim Tribute

End of Watch - Police Officer Sonny Kim - 19 June 2015

     2015 has been a tragic year for the public safety services in Cincinnati.  Having just sustained the loss of FAO Daryl Gordon in a fire on 26 March 2015, we are now faced with the tragic loss of Police Officer Sonny Kim.  Kim was a father, husband, friend, and mentor to many.  He was truly one of Cincinnati's finest and his absence will be long felt.  We pay tribute to the sacrifice made by Officer Kim and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

     Sadly 2015 is not the only year in recent history in which both the fire department and police departments of the City of Cincinnati sustained a loss in the same year.  The last time this occurred was in 1967.  On August 6th of that year Police Sergeant Albert Weller succumbed to a heart attack while attempting to bring order to a riotous crowd on board a riverboat at the public landing.  Just over a month later, on September 10th, Firefighter John Bickers was struck and killed by a drunk driver while directing traffic as the engine backed into quarters after returning from a false alarm of fire.  1961 also saw the loss of police and fire personnel in the line of duty.  On 11 March, Police Patrolman Donald Martin walked up on a group of men working to steal a car battery from a auto dealership.  After a struggle, Martin was shot multiple times and ultimately died from his injuries.  The murderers escaped and the case would not be solved for 44 years.  Three months later, 13 June 1961, Fire Marshal Robert Riegler collapsed and died shortly after arrival at the scene of a fire having been overcome by smoke.

CFD Ladder 19 and Ladder 29 (out of frame) show support for fallen CPD Officer Kim with the Honor Tower outside the Cintas Center

Photo: K.Weller

     To learn more about these and other tragic losses sustained by the CFD and CPD please visit the following sites which pay tribute to our fallen public servants:

The Roll of Honor of the Cincinnati Fire Department

Greater Cincinnati Police Officer Line of Duty Deaths

Produced by The Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society Museum

Donations to support the family of Officer Sonny Kim can be made at any location of the Greater Cincinnati Police Federal Credit Union

Photo Credit: J.Peter