Thomas Howard Otten

Cincinnati Police Officer Badge 601
Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Docent

Tom was born July 18, 1940, to Cincinnati Firefighter Charles R. and Alice (Carson) Otten. After high school, on January 4, 1960, Tom joined his older brother, and future Police Officer Charlie Otten, in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He went to boot camp at Parris Island and Communications School at Camp LeJune. Private First Class Otten was honorably discharged on January 5, 1966.

Tom followed his brother again into the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Recruit on September 25, 1966. He was promoted to Patrolman on December 27, 1966, and assigned to District 6 (3295 Erie Avenue). On January 7, 1968, he was rotated to District 2 (314 Broadway). Patrolman Otten worked the last shift in District 2 in 1969 when it closed and its personnel transferred to District 1 (310 Lincoln Park Drive). On January 4, 1976, he requested a transfer back to District 6. When that district was re-designated as District 2, Officer Otten was working the first shift, thereby becoming the only employee to close District 2 on Broadway and open the new District 2 on Erie Avenue.

Officer Otten transferred to Criminal Investigation Section in 1990 and worked the Front Desk. He retired January 16, 1994, with 33 years of service to his country and community and an extraordinary 45 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.

Retired Officer Otten visited the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum one day, just to spend time with fellow cops. He signed up for Docent and became a regular, especially on Tuesdays, until his death on January 10, 2016, at 75½ years old.