CPF Police Officer of the Month Award Recipients
2026 CPF Police Officer of the Month Award Recipients
Recipients will receive a personal plaque in recognition of their good deeds, and perpetual plaques will be displayed at Cleveland Police Headquarters, the offices of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police Cleveland Lodge 8 where they will serve as an inspiration to others.
February Police Officer of the Month
Patrol Officers Seth Mercer and Edward Galewood
This month’s Police Officers of the Month are Patrol Officer Seth Mercer and Patrol Officer Edward Galewood who placed themselves in danger to save the life of another. Upon arrival, as they walked down to Perkins Beach they observed a female sitting on the ice. As they approached her, she stood up and started to run farther out on the lake where the ice was thinning out. The officers then began running after the female to prevent her from getting out far enough on the lake to fall through the ice.
After catching up with her, they grabbed her to prevent her from putting herself into further danger at which time she dropped her body weight and refused to get off the ice. Believing the ice may not hold all of their weight and for the female’s safety, they dragged the female to a thicker portion of the ice at which time she willingly got to her feet and they escorted her to shore.
The female was conveyed to Metro Health where the officers learned she was being treated for anxiety and depression and on medication for both. It is because of their compassion for another in need that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Patrol Officer Seth Mercer and Patrol Officer Edward Galewood our Police Officers of the Month for February 2026.
-Bob Guttu, CPF
January Police Officer of the Month
Patrol Officers Joseph Fitchwell and Michael Kane
This month’s Police Officers of the Month, Patrol Officer Joseph Fitchwell and Patrol Officer Michael Kane are true heroes in every sense of the word. On the morning of January 9, 2026, while refueling their zone car, they spotted what appeared to be a house on fire on Parkview Road. They immediately rushed to the scene and found a house ablaze with the bottom level fully engulfed with smoke and potential live electrical wires.
The officers then began banging on the doors and began evacuating the four people inside along with their pets. The officers then navigated the family through a fenced backyard, using a slated board as a ladder for them to leave the immediate area. It was at this time that a loud explosion was heard and the house was fully engulfed. These officers responded immediately to this dangerous situation and, without thinking of their own safety, saved this family that morning.
I spoke with Cleveland Division of Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Freddy Diaz, who stated, “If this action by these officers was delayed another 30 seconds we may be talking about a different outcome to this story.”
It is because of their dedication to their duties and the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Patrol Officer Joseph Fitchwell and Patrol Officer Michael Kane our Police Officers of the Month for January 2026.
– Bob Guttu, CPF