Sergeant Richard Charles “Dick” Vogel
(1940-2026)
Dick was born January 13, 1940 in Cincinnati, the youngest of four sons born to Joseph and Delores (Luebbering) Vogel of Hatmaker Street. He attended Elder High School where he played baseball and graduated in June 1958.
While Dick was in high school, his older brother, William Vogel, joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Cadet in 1955 and was appointed Patrolman in 1957.
From August 1958 to November 1959, Dick worked at Crane and Breed Casket Company and the United States Postal Service.
Dick joined the Cincinnati Police Division on May 22, 1961 its 39th Recruit Class. He was promoted to Patrolman on August 28, 1961, issued Badge 854, and assigned to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive).
On May 4, 1962, Dick joined a military reserve unit and served in active duty until November 2, 1962.
On January 1, 1963, he was rotated to District 4 (7017 Vine Street). Ten years later, he transferred to Police Communications Section (also at 310 Lincoln Park Drive). On March 3, 1973, he returned to District 1. Also, by 1973, he was playing for the championship Fraternal Order of Police softball team. His brother William was promoted to Police Specialist in 1970. After finishing 5th on the promotional examination for the position, on July 13, 1975, Dick was promoted to Specialist, issued Badge PS-221, and assigned to the District 1 Investigative Unit. William was promoted to Sergeant in 1971. On November 3, 1981 Dick was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-69, and assigned to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). Sergeant Vogel also served in District 1, Operations Bureau, and the Private Police Unit. His son, Richard “Rick” Vogel, also joined the Police Division as a Police Recruit in 1990. Like his father and uncle, he also was promoted to Police Specialist. Sergeant Vogel retired on July 8, 1995 with 34 years of service and 35 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, including eight from the Chief’s Office and two from the Hamilton County Sheriff. His brother, Sergeant Wiliam Vogel, retired in 1997 and his son, Specialist Rick Vogel, retired in 2020.
Battling Parkinsons, Sergeant Vogel was filling with fluid and turned down for a pacemaker operation. He returned to the Western Hills Rehabilitation Center, and then into hospice care. Sergeant Vogel died at 6 p.m. on November 10, 2026.
Arrangements are being handled by Radel Funeral Home and will be announced later.