Raymond Richard Schad

 

 

• Cincinnati Police Sergeant
• Oldest Living Retiree

 

Ray was born October 13, 1927 to Anthony and Laura (Beuting) Schad. He attended Roger Bacon High School, graduating in 1945.

Four months later, on October 15, 1945, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. His basic training was at Camp Peary, Virginia. He then attended Naval Mine Warfare School in Yorktown, Virginia and shipped overseas to the Far East aboard the U.S.S. Atlanta, a Cleveland-class light cruiser. The Atlanta patrolled seas around Sasebo, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, and Yokosuka, Japan; Manila, Philippines; Qingdao and Shanghai, China; and Saipan in the Mariana Islands. Petty Officer 3rd Class Schad was honorably discharged on September 28, 1949.

Ray joined the Cincinnati Police Division on September 15, 1952 in the 24th Recruit Class. Two months later, he was assigned to District 1 (1024 York Street) to complete his training. He was promoted to Patrolman on January 1, 1953, was issued Badge 550, and assigned to District 5 (3478 Colerain Avenue). Already on May 10, 1953, he and his partner made arrests that smashed a juvenile auto theft ring. After a year as a Patrolman, he was rotated to District 2 (314 Broadway). Five days later, as dozens of officers from multiple departments searched for an armed robber after a Groesbeck hold up, Patrolman Schad and his partner captured him in Mount Airy Forest. On September 20, 1957, he arrested a Workhouse escapee based on a photograph he viewed at roll call. On November 5, 1957, he arrested another escapee, this one from a federal facility in Chillicothe three years prior, based on his recollection of what he looked like when he escaped. On July 5, 1964, Patrolman Schad transferred back to District 1 (by then at 310 Lincoln Park Drive).

After competing in the first promotional examination for the new rank of Police Specialist (replacing Detective), he was promoted on February 27, 1966, issued Badge PS-11, and assigned to the Crime Bureau (City Hall). Six months later, he transferred back to District 1. On February 5, 1967, Specialist Schad transferred to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). By 1971, he was serving in the Division’s Canine Corps. On January 7, 1973, he returned to District 1.

One month later, on February 11, 1973, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-79, and assigned to District 5 (by then at 1012 Ludlow Avenue). Seven months later, he was rotated to District 4 (7017 Vine Street). Sergeant Schad was also assigned to command the Canine Corps and was assigned a new partner, Ringo II. He and his partner took first place in the “Search and Attack” competition at a regional competition in Middletown on June 24, 1974. Beginning November 27, 1974, he and his partner were assigned to “Task Force Six,” a special holiday robbery task force. By the end of 1974, he trained two canines, including one for Maysville, Kentucky Police Department. On September 1, 1975, the Cincinnati Police Canine Corps, led by Sergeant Schad, took second place in a national competition at Nashville. Cincinnati canines earned three of four top awards. He trained a new canine class of six dogs/handlers in 1976. He was elected by the Fraternal Order of Police to the office of Conductor on December 26, 1977. On September 30, 1979, Sergeant Schad was assigned to the Training and Education Section at the Firearms Training Unit. Sergeant Schad retired on February 28, 1981, with 28 years of service and 12 letters of appreciation and/or commendation, half of which were from Cincinnati Police Chiefs.

On November 12, 2023, Sergeant Schad, as one of three living members who had been assigned to District 5 at the Colerain location, attended a ceremony officially disestablishing the Fifth District.

On August 29, 2024, Sergeant Schad was recognized by the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society as the oldest living retiree from the Cincinnati Police Division. He is one of only two living members of the 24th Recruit Class of the Cincinnati Police Division.

 

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