END OF WATCH: December 3, 1913
Cleveland Police Department
Patrolman Albert Miller was a two year veteren of the Cleveland Police Department and assigned to the 3rd Precinct.
On Sunday, November 30, 1913, in the early morning hours, Patrolman Albert Miller of was asleep in his home on Mead Avenue. Two doors away, neighbor Joseph Maleck was hosting a party to which a group of persons were demanding entrance, insisting they were invited, the group became threatening and Miller was called from his sleep.
The drowsy and half-dressed policeman stepped from his door and into the street. His appearance drew jeers from the mob and his orders to disperse brought on a rush. Just before he was thrown from his feet, he managed to fire his revolver into the air as a desperate signal for help. While his wife Ida watched as Miller was beaten and kicked as he lay in the street. He tried to regain his feet and was struck in the head forcefully by a man swinging a fence picket. Seeing the policeman motionless on the ground, his assailants ran away.
Party guests and neighbors came out and assisted Miller into his house. Doctors were called and a police emergency vehicle transported him to St. Alexis Hospital. Surgeons reported Millers skull was fractured and operated, removing a section. Miller was not expected to survive.
On Wednesday, December 3, 1913 at 1:19 am, Patrolman Albert Miller, died as a result of his injuries. On Saturday, December 6, 1913 at 1:30 pm Services were held at his residence and 2:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Police interviewed more than forty suspects and six were charged with assault to kill. After Patrolman Miller’s death, eight were charged of murder. Three of these, Rudolph Neca, Rudolph Rubicek and Yaro Kulisek were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to the Ohio State Reformatory.
Albert Miller’s name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. panel 33, west wall, line 17.
By Recruit Craig R. Downing, Cleveland Police Academy
