END OF WATCH: November 29, 1916
Cleveland Police Department
Patrolman Edward M. Meany was appointed to the Cleveland Police Department on November 24, 1909 and was a 7 year veteran. Lieutenant O’Loughlin of the West 83rd and Detroit Avenue Station said “He was a good policeman; he had more friends in the department than any man I knew.”
On the night of November 29, 1916, Patrolman Meany and Patrolman Gilmore were looking for men reportedly stealing chickens from the property of 1357 on West 73rd Street.
Upon arrival, Officers proceeded to the chicken coop to check things out. As Patrolman Meany exited the chicken coop, he was shot in leg with a high powered rifle. The bullet severed an artery, and Meany bled to death before he could be conveyed to a hospital.
William Taylor, a boarder of property owner, Mrs. Reese mistook the officer for a chicken thief and shot him. Taylor was charged with the killing of Patrolman Meany. Statements made by Mr. Taylor to Assistant Detective Chief Farrell were as follows: “Mrs. Reese’s son called me and said someone was trying to steal chickens. I got my rifle and went to the back porch. I saw a man and shot then I saw a man come out of the chicken coop, a hundred and sixty five feet away and fired at him.”
Patrolman Meany was survived by his wife and three children.
Edward M. Meany’s name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. panel 52, west wall, line 15.
By Recruit Kevin P. Sheehan, Cleveland Police Dept.
