Police Department

Early police protection was provided by an elected marshall and constables. The marshall was also authorized to appoint deputies to assist at special events, strikes, traffic work, etc. The laws of state and local ordinances were enforced in the Mayor's Court and before the elected justice of the peace. The justice of the peace also performed marriage sand during the Prohibition era handled the illegal liquor and bootlegging violations. Several villag ehomes actually served as bootlegging operations, and had tunnels built under the houses leading out behind garages to avoid the long arm of the law.

The Justice of the Peace post in the township was held by Joseph Hanousek Sr., who also had an office on old Ontario Street in Cleveland. He and another J.P. Myron Penty performed thousands of civil marriage ceremonies. The senior Hanousek served un til his death and was replaced by his son Joseph Jr., who was the last Justice of the Peace to serve, since the posts were abolished by the state legislature. Constables served as the enforcement officers of the law. Local constables that served were George Hecker and Bernie Kaczmarek. Delbert Davis was the first elected marshal and was replaced by William Baur when the Isaac Kennedy administration took office in 1932. Five deputies, namely Ernest Knaack, Howard Westhaven, Bill Gerdon, Franklin Hess, and Frank Bartczak joined the force.

LIST OF WILLOW TOWNSHIP CONSTABLES:

George Hecker

Bernard Kaczmarek

LIST OF POLICE CHIEFS:

Delbert L. Davis 1918-1931

William Baur 1932-1960

Frank V. Bartczak 1960-1967

George A. Gallitz 1967-1981

Reno Santini 1981-1983

Lawrence W. Mack 1984-1991

Richard W. Unger 1992-2003

Douglas J. Pallini 2003-2014

Brian Sturgill 2014-present

BIOGRAPHIES:

GEORGE HECKER

George Hecker was born Jan. 13, 1879 in Cuyahoga Co., OH to Adam & Flora Drutty Hecker. George’s father was born in Baden, Germany & his mother in New Orleans, LA. His grandparents Fredrick & Eva Hecker came to America in 1850. George’s sibling are Henry, Adam, Flora, Theresia, Lottie, Robert, Katharina, Nelle & John. He was the constable for Willow Township/Newburgh Heights in 1910. George was a Streetcar Motorman in Cleveland in 1900; a Night Watchman in 1920 & a Foreman at the Cuyahoga Heights, Cleveland Garbage Plant in 1930. He never married & died Mar. 11, 1969 in Garfield Heights, OH.

BERNARD KACZMAREK

Bernard “Bernie” Kaczmarek was born Apr. 25, 1910 in Cleveland, OH to Martin Joseph & Michalina Lewandowski Kaczmarek. His parents & two oldest siblings were born in Poland. They came to America in 1900. His siblings are Stanislav “Stanley”, Pelagia “Pauline”, Wladislaus “Walter” & Edward. He was constable during Mayor Gerdon’s time in office. Bernie lived in Cuyahoga Heights & worked as a machinist in a tool shop in 1930. He died in Cleveland, OH., Nov. 3, 1966 .

DELBERT L. DAVIS

Delbert was born Nov. 15, 1883 in Delaware Co., Ohio to Joseph C. & Catherine A. Mervine Davis. His sibling are Rose, Christopher Manlen, & Joseph Ernest. Joseph was a village fireman in the 1930’s. Delbert worked on farms in Scioto & Delaware Townships & married Della before coming to Newburgh Heights. Delbert & Della raised their four children; Goldie, Donald, Lester & Florence on E 71st & Marcelline Court. He was elected Marshal for Cuyahoga Heights when the village was formed in 1918 & retired in Dec., 1931. He was the only village Marshal. He had four deputies Elliott Patrick, Frank Kolstrunk, Ernest Knaack & James Crandall. The Mayor & Council picked the Police Chiefs after Delbert. During the 1940s Delbert worked for the Southerly Sewage Plant. Delbert died May 31, 1966 in Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.

WILLIAM BAUR

William was born July 30, 1895 in Cleveland, Ohio to Edward & Fredrika Bucher Baur. Both of his parents came from Germany. Edward came in 1861 & Fredrika’s family came in 1877. William has six known siblings: Herman, Henry, Jacob, Edward, Philo & Gertrude. He married Anna, daughter of Peter & Mary Hirsh. Anna was born Nov. 2, 1895 in Independence, Ohio. William & Anna had two children, Helen who married Ralph J. DeSantis & son William Richard. The family lived on E. 71st.William worked as a machinist for the Cleveland City Disposal Plant & as a garage mechanic before becoming the first Police Chief for the Village of Cuyahoga Heights in1932. He retired in 1960. Anna died Nov. 8, 1965 in Cleveland & William died July 15, 1971 also in Cleveland.

FRANK BARTCZAK

Frank was born Apr. 3, 1916 in Cleveland to Simon J. & Rozalia “Rose” Skarzyczky Bartczak. Both of his parents were born in Poland. Simon came to America in 1909 & Rose’s family came in 1910. Frank has seven siblings; Theodore, Clara, Florence, Simon Peter, Stephan, Alysius “Al” & Leonard. He was a Golden Gloves boxer during the 30s & was well known around the area as a good softball league pitcher. Frank married Dorothy Julia, daughter of Andrew J. & Julia Wisniewski Kruzel. She was born Dec. 24, 1920 in Cuyahoga Heights. Frank & Dorothy had two daughters, Barbara & Carol [Ronald] Dolega. Frank & Dorothy lived on Dressler in the house they had built in the late 50s. Frank joined the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department on Nov. 26, 1936 & became the Chief on Aug. 1, 1960 when Chief Wm. Baur retired. One of the first things he did was start using radar controls in the school zone. When he became chief his pay was $7,600 a year. Frank was known as the “Patrolling Chief” by the news media reporters. Western Reserve & John Carroll seminars in Public Relations were part of the extras he did to help his department & the village. On Feb. 28, 1967 Frank retired due to health reasons. May 17, 1967 was proclaimed “Frank V. Bartczak Day” by the mayor & village council. That night they had a retirement party at Hillside Lounge. Some 450 people came to his testimonial dinner. Chiefs & officers from 20 cities & villages came to honor him. Frank was a life member of the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association & the Ohio State Police Chiefs Association. He died Mar. 19, 1988 & Dorothy died on Dec. 5, 2000.

GEORGE GALLITZ

George was born July 18, 1921 in Cleveland to George J. & Luella M. Root Gallitz. Marian was his only sibling. His great grandparents Anton & Anna Margaretha Maria Hubrath Gallitz came to Cleveland from Prussia in 1852. George married Mary Ellen, daughter of John R. & Edna M. Svoboda of Valley View. THeir children are Albert, William, Loretta (Gregory) Fontana & Mary Beth Owen. George's great-grandmother, Anna, bought 2 acres in 1859 for $115 on Petre Plank Road, Newburgh Heights, that area is now Grant Avenue, Cuyahoga Heights. THe GAllitz family lived on the land until 1924 when the village bought it to build the first fire station. That land is now part of Interstate 77. He joined the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department on June 1, 1946. He became chief on March 1, 1967 and retired January 5, 1981. George and Mary lived most of their married life on E. 49th Stree.

RENO SANTINI

Reno was born in 1924 in Ohio to Ernesto M. & Concetta M. Santini. Both of Reno’s parents came from Italy about 1920. He has one sister Lena Cash. He & his wife had three children, Reno, Martin & Gloria. Reno Santini was Cuyahoga Heights Police Chief from 1981 to 1983

LAWRENCE MACK

Lawrence was born Dec. 10, 1937 in Ohio to Edward & Josephine Mack. Larry has two siblings, Edward & Flory. He & his wife Mary have four children, Michelle, Lawrence, Edward & Jeffrey. Larry received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department in 1964 & was Chief from 1984 until Sept. 11, 1991. Larry died Sept. 11, 1991 at his home on E. 71st St. in Cuyahoga Heights.

RICHARD UNGER

Richard was born Jan. 13, 1953 to Walter & Joan Connell Unger. His grandparents are Walter & Mary Unger & William & Gladys Connell. Rick’s siblings are Robert, Thomas & David. He received his education at Cuyahoga Heights, Tri-C & Bowling Green State University. His children are Sandy Sturgill, Rick Bacci, Sarah Teatue & Ryan Unger. On Aug. 31, 1976 Rick joined the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department. During the 1980s he became the village Juvenile Officer, a Captain & one of the original Cuyahoga Valley SWAT team members. He was Chief from 1992 until Jan. 13, 2003. During the winter he lives in Newburgh Heights & in the summer at Marblehead. His hobbies are hunting & fishing.

DOUGLAS PALLINI

Douglas was born Jun. 21, 1959 to John & Grace Krupa Pallini. Doug’s father was active in village politics & his mother was born & raised three streets north of Grant Ave on Deveny Ave., in Cleveland. Doug has two brothers, David & Donald. Donald is a member of the Cuyahoga Heights Fire Department. Doug married Linda in 1984. She is from Mentor, Ohio. Douglas was age 9 was when he started working as a paperboy for the Cleveland Press then later for The Plain Dealer. During high school he was a pinsetter at the village bowling allies; worked at the village pool & service department; he also work in a factory in Valley View. Doug was active in the village Little League & Swim Team. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District hired him in 1978 where he worked as a laborer & then an operator. Doug joined the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department on Jan. 13, 1981. Five other patrolmen were hired that year because, as the village grew the department needed to grow to meet the demand for better safety. He became a Lieutenant in 1983. Doug served as a Detective & Field Training Officer in the late 80’s & early 90’s. He became a Captain in 1988; Patrol Captain in 1994. Doug graduated from Police Executive Leadership XX in Nov. 1997. He became Administrative Captain in 1999, as second in charge under Chief Unger. On Feb. 6, 2003 he was appointed Police Chief by Mayor Louis J. Bacci. Doug is a member of the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association, was a board member that worked with the Counter Anti Terrorism Committee that helped fund the Mobile Command Center for Southwest Enforcement Bureau, which the Cuyahoga Heights Police Department is a member. He also belongs to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police & the International Association of Chiefs of Police.