Lieutenant Clarence Thomas Gardner, Jr. L-21
(1934-2025)
Clarence was born on November 27, 1934 in Newport to Clarence T. Gardner Sr. and Kathryn (Shumaker) Gardner. He attended Newport Catholic High School and graduated in June 1953.
While attending high school, he had already enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on June 2, 1952, during the Korean War. Storekeeper Gardner was honorably discharged June 10, 1960.
Clarence married Ruth K. Lindsay on June 23, 1956. He held several sales positions until May 1961. He also attended Villa Madonna College until May 1961, majoring in Social Psychology.
Clarence joined the Cincinnati Police Division in its 39th Recruit Class on May 22, 1961. He was promoted to Patrolman on August 28, 1961, issued Badge 253, and assigned to District 2 (314 Broadway). Six months later, Patrolman Gardner was rotated to District 7 (813 Beecher Street). By the end of 1962, he had already caught a burglary in progress and arrested the bank robber of two financial institutions. In the January 16, 1966, he was spotlighted in an Enquirer Magazine article entitled Rules of Evidence. On February 27, 1966, he was among the first men promoted to the new rank of Police Specialist.
On October 20, 1968, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-87, and reassigned to District 2. When District 2 was dissolved in 1969, its personnel were sent to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). On June 7, 1970, Sergeant Gardner transferred to District 4 (7017 Vine Street). In November 1971, he was selected to attend the prestigious Homicide Seminar conducted by the Kettering Crime Lab. On April 26, 1972, Chief Carl V. Goodin established Crime Prevention Sergeants in each District and Sergeant Gardner was assigned in District 4. He was, at the time finishing a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement at the University of Cincinnati. Thereafter he conducted several presentations and seminars and acted as spokesman for the district. In 1975, all personnel from Districts 4 and 7 were combined into a new District 4 at 4150 Reading Road. From January through March 1978, Sergeant Gardner was selected to attend one of the four most respected secondary law enforcement schools in the country, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on February 21, 1982, issued Badge L-21, assigned to the Chief’s Office, and detailed to the Safety Director’s Office in City Hall. On September 5, 1982, he transferred to District 3. Lieutenant Gardner also served again in District 1 and the redesignated District 2 (3295 Erie Avenue). According to the various district commanders under which he served, Lieutenant Gardner’s reliefs were highly productive with great morale. Lieutenant Gardner retired on February 7, 1987 with almost 34 years of service to his country and community and 29 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
Lieutenant Gardner died on March 7, 2025 at the age of 90.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth of 68 years, children, and grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025 at Guardian Angels Church at 6539 Beechmont Avenue. FOP Services will be at held at 10:15 a.m. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Stephens Cemetery 1523 Alexandria Pike in Fort Thomas.
© 2025 – All rights are reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.