Detective Sergeant Dennis Michael Lantry
(1943-2023)

 Dennis was born November 23, 1943, in Cincinnati, the second of four children born to Robert and Beatrice (Pfiester) Lantry of Greenhills. He attended Western Hills High School, participated in the National Thespian Society, Dramatic Clubs, Junior Council on World Affairs, and Triginta Optimi, and graduated in 1962. He then attended the University of Cincinnati and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. From 1970 to 1973, he attended Xavier University taking police psychology courses. In 1972, he successfully completed the Norwood Police Academy. 

After high school, Dennis took a sales position at H & S Pogue Company in Kenwood. He moved to Graybar Electric Company in 1964 then Bennet Distributors in Dayton, Ohio in 1966. 

During May 1967, Dennis worked as a Plant Operator for the Cincinnati Water Works. Two years later, he took a position as a Probation Officer and Intake Officer for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

Dennis joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on February 22, 1973, as a Patrolman in their Patrol Division. By 1975, Deputy Lantry was assigned as a Sycamore Township combined School Resource Officer. During Police Memorial Week 1977 at the annual Police Appreciation and Awards Dinner, Detective Lantry received the “Working with Children” Award. He was one of the main speakers at a Community Policing workshop at the Kemper Road Center for Religious Development on May 7, 1977. He was promoted to Sergeant June 7, 1979, and appointed to supervise the Juvenile Section in the Investigative Unit. By the end of 1980, Detective Sergeant Lantry headed up the Sheriff’s Office Burglary Detail. During a reorganization of the Investigation Section in October 1983, Sergeant Lantry was assigned to general investigations, including homicides, kidnappings, robberies, and major fraud cases. He attended the Fall 1985 term of the Southern Police Institute Administrative Officers Course, widely known as the best secondary law enforcement course available. During his career, his name appeared in local newspapers 121 times for his actions and those of his subordinates. Sergeant Lantry retired on May 1, 1999, with 32 years of service to Cincinnati and Hamilton County and dozens of letters of appreciation and/or commendation and awards.

Sergeant Lantry’s health declined after the death of his wife in 2018. He was admitted to hospice care in November 2023. He died at home at the Colonial Gardens Assisted Living in Florence on November 25, 2023, two days after celebrating his 80^th birthday with his daughters and their families.

He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Susan Kay (Merwin) Lantry (2018), and siblings, Robert Lantry, Jr. (1968) and Lois Lantry (2009). Sergeant Lantry is survived by his children, Laura Lynn Lantry-Miles and Anna Marie (Michael) Jerabek; sister, Martha Lynn Chance and her family; and grandchildren, Raelin (Nathan) Gary, Leah Jerabek, Jack Jerabek, and Alysha Miles.

A private funeral service will be held, followed by a public burial service, with law enforcement honors, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The Shield.

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