Sergeant William H. Smith S-91 (1936-2023) - Greater Cincinnati Police Museum

Bill was born January 19, 1936, the oldest child of Ambrose and Anna Smith. He attended Roger Bacon High School, played football, and served on the Baconian staff. He graduated in 1954. He also attended the Ohio Mechanics Institute and studied blueprint reading.

From June 1954 to October 1959, Bill worked as an Assistant Foreman for Joseph Day, Inc. on Bridgetown Road.

Bill joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Recruit on October 12, 1959. On February 28, 1960, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 359, and assigned to District 4 (7017 Vine Street). On February 27, 1966 he was one of the first group of officers promoted to the new rank of Police Specialist, issued Badge PS-99, and was assigned to Crime Bureau (City Hall). Six months later, Specialist Smith transferred to the District 2 Investigative Unit (314 Broadway). Two years after that, on December 8, 1968, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-91, and assigned to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). On May 21, 1972, Sergeant Smith transferred to District 7 (813 Beecher Street). Four years later, he transferred to Internal Investigation Section (310 Lincoln Park Drive). He graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy on June 15, 1979. After seven years in Internal, Sergeant Smith transferred to Criminal Investigation Section (222 East Central Parkway) and served as the Major Offenders Coordinator. Sergeant Smith retired April 1, 1989, with 29½ years of service to his community and nine letters of appreciation and/or commendation.

Following retirement, he was appointed Chief Safety Officer at Gerbus Bros/Trans Ash Company. He was also a member and Membership Chairman of the Mt. Airy Civic Club, Secretary and President of the GO-GO Investment Club, member of the Police Athletic Club, and participated in the International Police and Fire Olympics.

Sergeant Smith suffered physically since 2021, and the years 2022 and 2023 were especially rough for him . He died peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 22, 2023 at the age of 87.

He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Richard Ortman. Sergeant Smith is survived by his wife off 66 years, Juie (Apke) Smith; children, Scott (Vicki) Smith, Kevin (Chris) Smith, and Cheryl (Mike) Bruggeman; grandchildren, Lynn Selby, Mandi Tabor, Matt Smith, Lauren Smith, Karlee Hildreth, Meredith Tulloch, and Scott Smith; great-grandchildren, Nick, Megan, Julia, Jake, Stassie, and Koen; and siblings, Carole (David) Gibson, Gerri Ortman, and Beverly (Jerry) Burbrink.

Visitation will be held 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023 at Little Flower Church at 5560 Kirby Road in Mt. Airy. An FOP Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum, 308 Reading Road, Suite 201, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or Roger Bacon High School, 4320 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45217.π