GUY YORK MATCHES

Lieutenant Stephen R. Kramer, Historian

Greater Cincinnati Police Museum

GUY YORK

Guy York joined the Cincinnati Police Department in 1928 and was assigned to District 7 (2401 Concord Avenue). He finished second on his first promotional exam in 1936, was promoted to Sergeant, and assigned to District 1 (1024 York Street). Seven months later, he was transferred to Central Station and the new Highway Safety Bureau (City Hall). He would never leave. Sergeant York topped the next list in 1939 and was promoted to Lieutenant. After finishing first again in 1941, he was promoted to Captain and Highway Safety Bureau Commander. Finishing first one more time in 1945, he was promoted to Superintendent ofåå the Bureau. In 1955, the rank was reclassified as Assistant Chief, commanding the Traffic Bureau. After almost exactly 40 years of service, Lieutenant Colonel York died in 1968.

Lieutenant Colonel York was a strong advocate for police marksmanship. In his will, he set aside a significant amount of money to fund annual Guy York Matches.

 

GUY YORK MATCHES*

Similar to the Hamilton County Police Association (HCPA) Shoots that had been going on for 30 years, the Guy York Matches began in March and ended in November each year. Every officer of the Cincinnati Police Division was invited to compete and sometimes more than a hundred men did so. To qualify for year-end recognition, an officer had to participate in at least five matches. The top five scores for each officer were averaged to determine which “Guy York Medal” would be issued and the rank order of competitors.

At a Combined Staff Meeting (all of the Division’s commanders), Guy York Medals were issued to qualifying shooters who were permitted to wear them on their uniforms. Silver-colored medals were issued for Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, and Master. A gold-colored (brass) medal was issued to Distinguished Masters.

The top possible score was 600 (all 60 shots in the bullseye or 10-ring). Lee Hightower, Jack Basham, and Bob Zucker accomplished this feat at least once over the years. An average of ~582 was necessary to earn a Distinguished Master medal. These shooters typically put all their shots, or almost all of their shots, into the 9- and 10-rings. The lowest level for a Master was ~560. Expert was ~540. These shooters scored an occasional 7-ring hit, but almost always in the 8-ring; also known as the “K5” on NRA B-27 targets. Sharpshooters was ~485 and Marksmen ~450.

Lieutenant Colonel York’s bequeathed funds ran out, but the Police Division continued the matches until 1976. That was the year City Hall disbanded the Police Cadet Program, laid off all 124 Police Officers, closed the Target Range after a fiscal shortfall.

Only 72 police officers competed in the final Guy York Matches. Seven Distinguished Master medals were issued; four Masters; three Experts; three Sharpshooters; and one Marksman. Ten of the 18 medal winners have died, and another was killed in the line of duty. Three of the remaining seven are active volunteers at the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum: LT Stephen Kramer RET, PS Daniel Louder RET, and PS Edward Zieverink III RET.

We have the full results for the 1976 Matches and the top three finishers in 1971.

 

MATCH RESULTS

1971

DISTINGUISHED MASTER

Patrolman Dennis Dressler        District 3          1st

Patrolman George Brockman     District 6          2nd

Sergeant Donald Ritter              Target Range    3rd

1976

DISTINGUISHED MASTER

Specialist Lee Hightower           District 1          594.4    1st

Officer Robert Zucker               District 1          589.8    2nd

Specialist Raymond Meyer        District 1          587.6    3rd

Sergeant John “Jack” Basham    Target Range    587.4

Officer Dennis Dressler             District 5          586.6

Officer Stephen Kramer             District 1          583.8

Sergeant George Brockman       District 4          583.4

MASTER

Officer Edward Zieverink III     District 1          579.6    1st

Sergeant George “Pat” Olvey     District 5          568.8    2nd

Officer Rodney Hightower         District 1          568.8    2nd

Officer James “Gary” Weber      District 3          560.6

EXPERT

Officer Daniel Louder               District 5          551.4    1st

Officer Larry Nungester             District 5          550.6    2nd

Officer Herbert Kohus               District 1          546.6    3rd

SHARPSHOOTER

Officer Carl Rauschenberger      District 1          532.4    1st

Specialist Harold Weisbrodt       District 1          532.0    2nd

Sergeant Raymond Schad          District 4          516.6    3rd

MARKSMAN

Officer Robert Gates                 Property Mgmt. 484.6    1st