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Deputy William Luther “Bill” McGaha
(1932-2026)

 

 

Bill was born December 19, 1932  in Ohio to James B. and Lucy B. (Neal) (of Tennessee) McGaha. He attended Rachid and Guilford Grade Schools, Woodward High School from 1947 to 1949, and American School in Chicago from 1965 to 1968.

In 1947, Bill joined the Ohio National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1957 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Bill joined the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff on May 23, 1968. In May 1973 he was appointed Traffic Specialist and operated on the west side of Hamilton County. In April 1976, he was appointed to Crime Prevention. In February 1977, he was appointed to a newly created position, the only dedicated auto theft investigator in Hamilton County. His auto theft and knowledge and reputation within the county grew exponentially. Deputy McGaha resigned on February 19, 1982 with 23 years of service to his country and county to accept other employment.

He was also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, including membership in, Scottish Rite, Syrian Temple, and Cincinnati Police Masonic Club, as well as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #84.

We are advised by retired Deputy Sheriff Leonard Rodney McGaha that Deputy McGaha died at the age of 93.

He is survived by his children Debra Lynn and James Benjamin McGaha, et al.

We will update this obituary when more data is received.

 

© 2026 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer RET and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum