Sergeant William J. Rebholz
(1933-2024)

William was born October 16, 1933 to Wilbert and Mary Rebholz of Shaffer Avenue in Westwood. He attended Saint Catharine of Sienna grade school and Elder High School where he competed on the swimming team. He graduated in 1951. 

During and after attending high school, William worked as a clerk at an Albers Supermarket that his father managed.

 About 1955, William joined the Saint Bernard Police Department as a Patrolman. In 1960, he earned a perfect score in the Evidence, Case Preparation, and Court Presentation course at the Hamilton County Police Academy. In 1963, he was serving as a Motorcycle Patrolman. By 1970, he was promoted to Sergeant. He was elected to the Hamilton County Police Association Board of Director in December 1970. Eight years later Sergeant Rebholz was unanimously elected Secretary. By 1978, he had also successfully completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. In 1980, Sergeant Rebholz was presented with the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy Man of the Year Award for an act of valor in which a local druggist was taken hostage during an armed robbery. Sergeant Rebholz retired in or before 1987 with at least 25 years of service. 

He ran for City Council and was elected on November 4, 1987. He was reelected continuously until losing by four votes on November 6, 1991.

Sergeant Rebholz died on April 25, 2024, at the age of 90.

He was predeceased by two wives, Mary A. (Schwietert) Rebholz (1997) and Mary K. (Bales) Rebholz (2013),  and siblings, Jack Rebholz and Mary Ann Rebholz. He is survived by his children, Mike (Sharon) Rebholz, Lynn (Bill) Burkhardt, Tamara (Glen) Germain, Rick (Debbie) Rebholz, West Chester Lieutenant Colonel Brian (Shanna) Rebholz, Keith (Leigh) Rebholz, Kim Rebholz, and Melissa Rebholz; 23 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; stepchildren, JoEllen Timmons and Christopher Biehle; and siblings, Nancy (Rebholz) Bill Vought, Betty (Cardillo) Richard, and Robert Rebholz.

Visitation and funeral Mass were held at Saint Clement Church on April 30, 2024. 

The Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society only recently became aware of Sergeant Rebholz’s death.

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