Police Officer Thomas Lee Rackley, Jr. P-493 (1972-2026)

Tom was born on September 11, 1972 to Thomas Lee and Lona Rackley, Sr. He attended Aiken High School, graduating in 1992. He then attended Cincinnati State College until 1994, majoring in Criminal Justice.

On January 26, 1994, Tom joined the Cincinnati Police Division in its 79th Recruit Class. He was promoted to Police Officer on November 20, 1994, issued Badge 493, and assigned to District 2 (3295 Erie Avenue). On January 7, 1996, Officer Rackley was rotated to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). He returned to District 2 on July 8, 2001. At the beginning of 2005, he was assigned to the district’s Violent Crimes Squad. During a period of medical disability Officer Rackley also served in Communications. His supervisors, regardless of assignment, wrote of his energy and self-motivation with regard to his duties. A few times he was the focus of newspaper articles regarding his dedicated work with children or attention to his beat in Madisonville. On November 3, 2007, Officer Rackley retired with a medical disability with 13 years of service, during which he amassed an amazing 42 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, one of which came already while in Recruit School.

Officer Rackley battled colon cancer for years and lost his fight on August 24, 2026, just short of his 53rd birthday.

The obituary will be updated after more information has been received

_{© 2026 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum}