Sergeant Edward Obra Bird S-39
(1934-2024)

 

Ed was born August 29, 1934 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana to Theodore Calvin and Alice R. (Vaughn) Bird. When Ed was four years old, his father joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Recruit. Theodore was quickly promoted through the ranks and by 1958 was already a Police Captain and District 1 Commander. Ed attended Western Hills High School and graduated in 1954.

Three months later, on September 13, 1954, Ed joined the United States Army and was assigned to a Tank Battalion. For 2½ years he trained in tanks in Germany and during the remaining 17 months served as the company clerk. Corporal Bird was honorably discharged on August 29, 1956.

Beginning in September, he worked for 1¼ years at Freese Service Station at 8th and Elberon, United Motors, and New Way Linen Supply.

Ed joined the Cincinnati Police Division on March 24, 1958 in the 35th Recruit Class. He was appointed Patrolman on June 22, 1958, issued Badge 58, and assigned to District 2 (314 Broadway). He was rotated a year later to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue) and again a year after that to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). On July 9, 1962, Patrolman Bird transferred back to District 2. He was promoted to Police Specialist on March 7, 1971, issued Badge PS-168, and assigned to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). He was promoted to Sergeant on June 22, 1975, issue Badge S-39, and assigned to District 4 (4150 Reading Road). On January 28, 1979, he returned to District 3. He was continuously rated excellent as a supervisor with glowing comments from his commanders. Sergeant Bird retired on November 4, 1988 with more than 34 years of service to our country and community and 27 letters of appreciation and/or commendation including three from Cincinnati police chiefs and one from the city manager.

In 2006, the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum opened, and Sergeant Bird was one of the first people to respond to the call for Docents. During 2012 he had triple-bypass surgery and more or less retired.

Sergeant Bird died in the nursing home in which he was a resident on May 12, 2024, three months short of his 90th birthday.

He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Mae Bird, in 2023, and son-in-law, Reed Lynn. He is survived by his children, Dave (Karen) Bird, Mary Ann Lynn, and Dan (Deirdre) Bird; grandchildren, Matthew (Jennifer) Bird, Nicholas (Karissa) Bird, Andrew (Jennifer) Bird, Alex Lynn, Emily Lynn, Eric Lynn, Hannah Bird, and Ryan Bird; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 31, 2024 at Spring Grove Funeral Home,4389 Spring Grove Avenue. An FOP service will be held at 10:30 a.m. and a Masonic service at 10:45 a.m. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Glendale, Indiana.

Memorials may be made to The Shield and Honor Flight.

 

_{© 2024 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum}