Police Officer Ronald Lee “Ron” Oliver P-85
(1947-2025)

 

 

 

Ron was born on September 26, 1948, in Newport, the third child born to Wiley R. Oliver of Georgia and Nancy Oliver of Kentucky. He attended Dixie Heights High School and participated in football and track and the Pep Club and Art Club, graduating in 1966.

Ron attended Thomas Moore Business College, majoring in Business Administration, and graduated in May 1972. While attending college, he worked as a Store Detective at Mabley and Carew Department Store at 5th and Vine Streets. Also, while attending college, in October 1970, Ron joined the United States Army Reserves in October 1970 and was assigned as a Supply Clerk in a Fort Thomas Engineering Unit. Specialist 4 Oliver was honorably discharged in May 1976. On June 24, 1972, Ron married Carol Sue Martin at The Church of the Redeemer.

Ron joined the Cincinnati Police Division in its 57th Recruit Class on July 30, 1972. He was promoted to Patrolman on December 17, 1972, issued Badge 85, and assigned to District 6 (3295 Erie Avenue). On May 26, 1974, he was rotated to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). Officer Oliver completed Federal Bureau of Investigation Basic Fingerprint Training in 1975 and Advanced Fingerprint Training in 1976. By 1976, with less than four years in the Division, Officer Oliver was assigned to the District One Investigative Unit. On May 5, 1979, he accompanied a supervisor to 5177 Hubble Road to notify Rita Henze that her son had been shot and killed and bring her to the hospital. Officer Oliver made the difficult decision to leave law enforcement on February 21, 1981 with 8½ years of service and six letters of appreciation and/or commendation.

Officer Oliver was appointed to the head of Transportation at General Electric.

Officer Oliver died at 9 p.m. on September 28, 2025, two days after his 77th birthday.

Officer Oliver is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Sue (Martin) Oliver; children, Sean Oliver (Cassie McQueen) and Kim (Steve) Bramlage; grandchildren, Cameron, Landon, Sandra, and Sophia; and sister, Josephine Ashcraft.

Services will be private at the family’s convenience.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 217.41.

_{© 2025 – All rights are reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum}