Age: 60
Served: 29½ years
October 16, 1886, to July 28, 1916
OFFICER
Patrolman Ruberg was one of the veterans of the Police Department. He had been assigned to the Ninth District for several years and had many friends in the western part of the city.
During June 1890 in Price Hill he, with Lieutenant Brangan and Detective Carey, were involved in a gunfight during the capture of “Burglar Jim” Anderson. Anderson was wounded. Patrolman Ruberg was hit also, but after the battle found a bullet had merely dented his badge.
INCIDENT
Officer Ruberg, a German immigrant of 3648 Glenway Avenue, on July 26, 1916, was detailed to strike duty in the vicinity of the Southern Railway Terminal. While following a packing company wagon his horse stumbled and fell and rolled over onto him. He did not seem to be seriously injured, but he sustained internal injuries. These developed into peritonitis. Doctor Stuart Hagen performed an operation in an effort to save Patrolman Ruberg’s life.
DEATH
Patrolman Ruberg died on July 28, 1916.
He left a wife, Josephine Ruberg, and sons, Raymond Ruberg (21) and Edward Ruberg (19). We believe he is buried with his wife in St. Joseph’s Old Cemetery.
EPILOGUE
Patrolman Ruberg’s grandnephew, Arthur J. Ruberg, joined the Cincinnati Police Department in 1952 and retired as a Patrolman in 1978. Patrolman Ruberg’s sons also joined; Donald G. Ruberg in 1966 and Raymond P. Ruberg in 1972. They retired in 1997 and 2002 as a Police Specialist and Police Lieutenant, respectively. Specialist Ruberg’s son, Jeffrey P. Ruberg, joined in 2002 and still serves as a Police Officer and carries his father’s badge.
If you know of any information, artifacts, archives, or images regarding this officer or incident, please contact the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum at Memorial@Police-Museum.org.
© This narrative was revised July 19, 2011 by Cincinnati Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Kramer (Retired), Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society President. All rights are reserved to him and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.