Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

HILARY,

IT HAS BEEN OVER 11YRS SINCE I LAST RESPONDED ON A RUN THAT YOU RESPONDED TO AS WELL. I THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND WANTED TO SHARE A WORK RELATED STORY WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW OFFICERS.

IT WAS A COLD RAINY DAY AND I WAS DISPATCHED TO AN EMERGENCY INTERVENTION, KNOWING THAT CLEVELAND'S FINEST WOULD BE RESPONDING AS WELL. ME BEING USE TO BEING THE 1ST AND USUALLY THE ONLY RESONDING OFFICER ON A SCENE, WENT AHEAD AND ENTERED INTO THE APARTMENT (A ROWHOUSE IN THE VANGUARD APTS) PRIOR TO BACK UP ARRIVING.

AFTER, ENTERING INTO THE DWELLING, SPEAKING TO SOMEONE, WHO APPEARED TO BE THE CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBER(I WAS WRONG).

I FOUND MYSELF TOE-TO-TOE WITH A FORMER HEAVY WEIGHT #1 RANKED CONTENDER IN HIS LATE FORTIES WHO STOOD ABOUT 6' 5" 250#S WHO WAS STILL SOLID PHYSICALLY, BUT MENTALLY HAD ALL OF HIS SCREWS LOOSENED A FEW TO MANY TURNS; STANDING BETWEEN ME AND MY EXIT.

AFTER EXPECTING THE WORST AND DANCING IN CIRCLES FOR WHAT SEEMED TO BE ABOUT 10MINS ACTUALLY ONLY ABOUT 2 OR 3MINS.
IN WALKED YOU AND YOUR PARNTER. YOU WERE JUST SMILING. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. BECAUSE ALL I PICTURED WAS THE BOXER GOING BALLISTIC BECAUSE NOW THERE WERE THREE OF US IN HIS HOME WANTING TO TAKE HIM AWAY...

THEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE BOXER STOPPED BEING AGRESSIVE AND STARTED LAUGHING AND YOU GUYS WERE CALLING EACH OTHER BY NAME, BECAUSE THIS WAS LIKE THE 5TH TIME YOU HAD MADE AN E.I.ON THE GUY.

YOU JUST CAME IN AND TOOK OVER-YOU HAD A PERSONALITY THAT EASILY WON PEOPLE OVER...I KNOW THAT EVERYONE MISSES YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS. THEY NOW TEACH CERTIFICATION CLASSES FOR OFFICERS TO ACQUIRE THOSE SKILLSTHAT CAME TO YOU SO NATURALLY.

I THINK THAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT WAS IN 1995 AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

YOU ARE MISSED AND I TO THIS DAY HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!

REST EASY PATROLMAN

DEPUTY MORRISON
MCSD(IN)/FORMER OHIO PEACE OFFICER

March 3, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 31, 2007

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 29, 2007

Hopefully we will meet some day in the future and laugh as well as cry for those who continue the never ending story....Bless you

Mark
CPD

February 21, 2007

As the daughter of a 48-year veteran of the Cleveland Police Dept., I can well appreciate the loss of Officer Cudnik. Even 10 yrs. later, he is NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

December 16, 2006

I am not a police officer yet I have worked private security for many years and was touched by his death of Patrol Officer Hilary S. Cudnik may I say god bless you and loved ones around you.

none
none

November 21, 2006

THE BEST PARTNER A WORKING OFFICER COULD EVER HAVE. REST IN PEACE.

SERGT. PAUL RAYNARD
CLEVELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

June 22, 2006

Thank you Hilary for giving your life so selflessly. I remember the day you were shot like yesterday. I can still here the screams over the radio. I felt so helpless! Please know that this Peace Memorial Week you are not forgotten. May God bless your family as I am sure they think of you EVERYDAY!

Officer Margery Gerbec #2490
Cleveland Police Department

May 19, 2006

You are missed partner


# 78

May 12, 2006

As always as I attend Roll Call, I look at the memorial set up in the 5th District. Although I was only on the job 4 months when Hilary was called home by God, I heard so many wonderful things about him that made me feel as if I knew him. I wish the family well, and will continue to serve this proud department with the utmost honor and respect for those who paid the ultimate price. God Bless!!!!!!!

P.O. Anthony Harper #1515
Cleveland Police Department

April 11, 2006

Hilary was a great friend, whos loss will not be forgotten. Those of us who knew him, will never forget him. I'm a better person, and a better police officer for knowing Hilary.

P.O. Michael Tankersley
Cleveland P.D.

March 6, 2006

I remember when this terrible incident happen to Officer Cudnik. May it bring some comfort to his family to know that he will never be forgotten.Thank You Officer Cudnik for the life you gave so we could live in a safer community. God Bless

OHIO
Summit County
11-10-2005

November 10, 2005

Officer Cudnik and I were first cousins. We attended many family gatherings and being close in age we often stayed at each other's home and had a close relationshipo while growing up.
I still cannot conceive the fact that he is gone from this life, but I never will forget him, and pray for him and his family daily.

Jim Holland

March 13, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies...

Rest in peace, hero.

December 30, 2004

It's been 8 years since you were taken from this earth. I remember the somberness around the city . Yours was the first police funeral I ever attended, but , unfortunately , not the last. Many tears were shed, many prayers were said, and many lives were changed because of you, Patrolman Hilary Cudnik. God rest your soul.

Anonymous
CLeveland Police Department

December 30, 2004

God bless you and keep you always. You will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

December 7, 2004

Officer Cudnik,

you will never be forgotten!!!

Anonymous

October 21, 2003