END OF WATCH: May 11, 1924
Cleveland Police Department
On March 1, 1920, Roy Nightwine became a Cleveland Policeman and was assigned to the motorcycle unit.
One day while on motorcycle patrol, Officer Nightwine was thrown off his motorcycle near E. 140th and Sylvia, receiving only minor injuries. A year later, Nightwine would again fall off his motorcycle at E. 140th & Sylvia, but he had no way of knowing the end it would bring.
On May 11, 1924, at 1:50 pm, while on motorcycle patrol, Nightwine noticed a speeder on E. 140th Street and gave chase. Nightwine was traveling northbound on E. 140th when an auto, traveling southbound, turned left onto Sylvia in front of him. Their vehicles collided and Officer Nightwine was thrown 35 feet into the air, landing head first onto the curb.
From his home across the street, off duty Lieutenant, N. J. Meeker, witnessed the accident and immediately ran to Nightwine’s aid. The driver of the second vehicle was held for investigation.
Patrolman Nightwine was rushed to Glenville Hospital suffering from a fractured skull, broken ribs and two broken legs. Seven hours later, with his wife by his side, Nightwine died from his injuries.
Patrolman Nightwine was survived by his wife and two children, Robert and Alice Virginia.
Roy R. Nightwine’s name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. panel 43, west wall, line 9.
By Recruit Edward Mosse, Cleveland Police Academy
