Police Officer Nicholas James Misch P375 (1942-2022)

Nick was born June 6, 1942, the second of five children born to first generation Italian, Charles Misch, and Anna E. (Katzler) Misch of Over the Rhine.  He was always proud to have been born on what would a couple of years later become D-Day in World World II.  He attended Roger Bacon High School, graduating in 1961.

While attending high school, he worked as a stock clerk at A&P Market at Race and Elder Street.

One month after high school, Nick joined the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at Lockland Air Force Base and was thereafter assigned as an Administrative Clerk at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri. While there, he attended Kansas City University in during 1964. Airman 1^st Class Misch was honorably discharged in July 1965.

Upon returning home, he went to work for his uncle, Paul Misch, at Andy’s Boat Harbor as a Bartender. The work did not appeal to him, and he went to work as a stock clerk for AVCO Electronics in Newport.

Nick joined the Cincinnati Police Division on March 24, 1968 as a Police Recruit.  He graduated from the Cincinnati Police Academy on June 28, 1968, was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 375, and assigned to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). During 1972, he was one of several personnel trained on Police Scooters and patrolled Fountain Square and the Skywalks. On May 5, 1979, he traded shots with and arrested Percy Wilson immediately after the assassination of Police Officer Melvin Henze. Six months later he transferred to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). Almost five years after that, he transferred to District 4 (4150 Reading Road) on August 5, 1984. His performance evaluations consistently spoke of his compassion and ability to get along with his peers and the public and completing every task without fanfare. Police Officer Misch retired January 4, 1992 with 28 years of service to his country and community and 21 letters of appreciation and/or commendation; each relating to a significant criminal investigation or service rendered to the public.

Outside of work, Officer Misch ministered to patients in hospitals and provided transportation to at least one fellow officer – with whom he never worked – while he was in his last stages of cancer.

He kept busy in retirement with part time jobs, including for a while driving a school bus. He went back to work fulltime April 16, 2003 as a Corporate Security Officer with the Cincinnati Insurance Companies. After another 18 years, he retired on May 29, 2021, days before his 79^th birthday.

Over the years, Officer Misch suffered many medical maladies.  He lost a good portion of one lung to cancer.  He suffered through a stroke and a heart attack, atrial fibrillation, insertion of a pacemaker, and replacement of a heart valve. But he always came back to work and comically commented on each event.

During mid-August 2022, he and his wife were diagnosed with COVID.  She was admitted and he was sent home.  But the next day, with an extremely high temperature, he was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Anderson.  He then suffered an infection that went to his replacement heart valve. On August 31, 2022, he underwent very risky, but necessary surgery. He came out of it with significant kidney, respiratory, and esophageal problems and by September 8, was put back on oxygen and installed a port in his neck. He battled back, sometimes losing ground, sometimes gaining ground. By Monday, October 3^rd, he was well enough to leave the hospital for rehabilitation.

The next day, Nick suffered another medical event at his home, was transported by paramedics to Mercy Hospital and put on life support.  His family removed life support on Thursday, the 6^th and he died peacefully at 1:45 p.m. at the age of 80.

Nick was born June 6, 1942, the second of five children born to first generation Italian, Charles Misch, and Anna E. (Katzler) Misch of Over the Rhine. He was always proud to have been born on what would a couple of years later become D-Day in World War II.  He attended Roger Bacon High School, graduating in 1961.

While attending high school, he worked as a stock clerk at A&P Market at Race and Elder Street.

One month after high school, Nick joined the United States Air Force. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was thereafter assigned as an Administrative Clerk at Richards-Gebaur Air Reserve Station in Kansas City, Missouri. While there, he attended Kansas City University in during 1964. Airman 1^st Class Misch was honorably discharged in July 1965 and enrolled in the Air Force Reserves.

Upon returning home, he went to work for his uncle, Paul Misch, at Andy’s Boat Harbor as a Bartender. The work did not appeal to him, and he went to work as a stock clerk for AVCO Electronics in Newport.

Nick joined the Cincinnati Police Division on March 24, 1968 as a Police Recruit. He graduated from the Cincinnati Police Academy on June 28, 1968, was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 375, and assigned to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). During 1972, he was one of several personnel trained on Police Scooters and patrolled Fountain Square and the Skywalks. On May 5, 1979, he traded shots with and arrested Percy Wilson immediately after the assassination of Police Officer Melvin Henze. Six months later he transferred to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). Almost five years after that, he transferred to District 4 (4150 Reading Road) on August 5, 1984. His performance evaluations consistently spoke of his compassion and ability to have a good relationship with his peers and the public and completing every task without fanfare. Police Officer Misch retired January 4, 1992 with 28 years of service to his country and community and 21 letters of appreciation and/or commendation; each relating to a significant criminal investigation or service rendered to the public.

Outside of work, Officer Misch ministered to patients in hospitals and provided transportation to at least one fellow officer – with whom he never worked – while he was in his last stages of cancer. He was a minister and military minister and served in the Hamilton County Underwater Search and Recovery team.

He kept busy in retirement with part time jobs, including for a while driving a school bus and conducted motorcycle funeral escorts. He went back to work fulltime April 16, 2003 as a Corporate Security Officer with the Cincinnati Insurance Companies. After another 18 years, he retired on May 29, 2021, days before his 79^th birthday.

Over the years, Officer Misch suffered many medical maladies. He lost a good portion of one lung to cancer. He suffered through a stroke and a heart attack, atrial fibrillation, insertion of a pacemaker, and replacement of a heart valve. But he always came back to work and comically commented on each event.

During mid-August 2022, he and his wife were diagnosed with COVID. She was admitted and he was sent home. But the next day, with an extremely elevated temperature, he was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Anderson. He then suffered an infection that went to his replacement heart valve. On August 31, 2022, he underwent very risky, but necessary surgery. He came out of it with significant kidney, respiratory, and esophageal problems and by September 8, was put back on oxygen and installed a port in his neck. He battled back, sometimes losing ground, sometimes gaining ground. By Monday, October 3^rd, he was well enough to leave the hospital for rehabilitation.

The next day, Nick suffered another medical event at his home, was transported by paramedics to Mercy Hospital and put on life support. His family removed life support on Thursday, the 6^th and he died peacefully at 1:45 p.m. at the age of 80.

He was predeceased by his brother, Roger Misch, and grandchildren, Joey, Dylan, and Sara. Officer Misch is survived by his wife, Dorothy Misch; children, Jay N. Misch, James B. Hargett III, Carrie L. Fay, Kevin C. Hargett, and Tammy (Ron) Gambrel; fourteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and siblings, Tina Misch and Mark (Molly) Misch.

Visitation will be held 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at E. C. Nurre Funeral Home at 177 West Main Street in Amelia.  There will be an FOP Service, but the time has not been established. There will be an FOP Service, but the time has not been established. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers.

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