Donald E. Schilling

Cincinnati Police Specialist Badge PS-114
Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Docent

Don was born July 23, 1939, in Cincinnati. On June 23, 1957, he joined the United States Army Reserves, completed basic training at Fort Knox, and completed basic artillery training at Fort Polk.

On April 14, 1958, he was appointed the Cincinnati Police Division’s 31st Police Cadet. Cadet Schilling was assigned to Central Station (the city’s jail in City Hall) and, on January 20, 1960, was recognized on the WSAI Police Officer of the Week program as Outstanding Cadet. During a particularly difficult examination for Police Recruit, only 45 passed, and Cadet Schilling had the highest score. He was appointed Police Recruit on May 22, 1961. On August 28, 1961, he was promoted to Patrolman, issued Badge 841, and assigned to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue). On January 1, 1963, he was rotated to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). Less than five years later, after another competitive examination, on April 17, 1968, he was promoted to Police Specialist, issued Badge PS-114, and assigned to District 7 (813 Beecher Street) Investigative Unit. During the next eleven years, Specialist Schilling also served in the Tactical Unit, Criminal Investigation Section (222 E. Central Parkway), and the District 3 Investigative Unit.

Specialist Schilling transferred to the Intelligence Section on December 16, 1979. The section was disbanded in May 1984, and he returned to District 3, assigned to what has since been colloquially known as “The Greatest Relief.” There he was known for exceptional police work and an incredible sense of humor and soon became the unofficial assigner of nicknames for fellow relief personnel. Specialist Schilling transferred to the Fraud Squad on March 2, 1986, where he was assigned some of the more complicated frauds due to his meticulous investigative techniques. And again, he was revered by his peers.

Specialist Schilling retired March 6, 1989, with 24 letters of appreciation and/or commendation; including by Delhi Police Chief Howard Makin, FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Kitchens, Cincinnati Police Chief Myron Leistler (x2), Cincinnati Fire Chief Bert Lugannani, City Manager William V. Donaldson, United States Attorney James Cissell (x2), Cincinnati Safety Director Michael Bierman, and Cincinnati Police Chief Lawrence Whalen.

Specialist Schilling had been working also for Cincinnati Public Schools since November 8, 1988. He continued to work for them and finally retired August 1, 2008, with fifty years of service to his country and community.

In 2006, he began volunteering at the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum and was instrumental in the painting and preparation of the new Museum on Reading Road. He then worked as a Docent at the new museum until he was physically unable due to terminal cancer.