Specialist James Lee “Pooh Bear” Steigert PS-221 (1950-2022)

Jim was born May 16, 1950 to Jack A. and Elmyra Steigert.  He attended Oak Hills High School where he participated on the Swimming Team and in the Pep Club and German Club.  He graduated in 1968.  He also attended the University of Cincinnati and earned an associate degree in Police Science in 1971.

While in high school, Jim worked part-time as a freelance circular delivery boy.  He also worked on a farm. From July 1965 until after high school, he worked at the Hitching Post restaurant on Race Road. For the next four months, he worked at the Cook Well Strainer Company on Glenway Avenue.

Jim joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Cadet on December 15, 1968.  Cadet Steigert was assigned to Central Station (City Jail in City Hall).  On October 24, 1971 he was appointed Police Recruit.  He was promoted to Patrolman on March 12, 1972, issued badge 823, and assigned to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). Officer Steigert was transferred to District 4 (7017 Vine Street) during May 1974. On July 9, 1974, Patrolman Steigert discovered a burglary in progress, a rare event in real police work, at a Bond Hill service station and arrested a father and son for the burglary. He then transferred to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue) during February 1976.  He was promoted to Police Specialist on November 8, 1981, issued Badge PS-221, and assigned to the District 3 Investigative Unit.  During April 1984, Specialist Steigert was transferred to District 1 (310 Ezzard Charles Drive). Three years later, he transferred to the Personal Crimes Unit in the Criminal Investigation Section.  Specialist Steigert was assigned to the Rapid Indictment Squad of the Property Crimes Unit in during October 1995.  Specialist Steigert retired on May 30, 1998 with almost 30 years of service and 30 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.

Specialist Steigert then went on to work as an investigator for the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.

By 2010, he was the sales manager for Joseph Auto Center.

It was reported to the Cincinnati Police Department that retired Specialist Steigert died on September 4, 2022 at the age of 72.

Specialist Steigert is survived by his wife of 49 years, Constance A. “Connie” (Race) Steigert; children, Angela Nyika-Makore, Tony Steigert, and Andrew Steigert; grandchildren, Trevor, Jacob, Emery, and Rita; and sister, Linda (Gerry) Radel.

Specialist Steigert is survived by his wife of 49 years, Constance A. (Race) Steigert, and daughter, Angela Nyoman-Makore, et. al.

A visitation will be held from 10 am to 12pm on September 13, 2022, at the Rebold Funeral Home, 3700 Glenmore Ave, Cheviot, Ohio 45211. An FOP Service will be held at 11:45 a.m.  A Celebration of Life will take place at 12 pm at the funeral home.

Donations may be made in his honor to the SPCA or the Dry Dock.

 

© 2022 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum

 

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