The Cleveland Police Foundation was proud to host two outstanding community events this past month – Fishing with Cops and West Denison Baseball Day with the Lake Erie Crushers. Both events brought Cleveland Police Officers and local youth together through fun, memorable experiences that help strengthen trust and build lasting relationships.

Read the full issue here.

The Cleveland Police Foundation’s Police Officer of the Month for June 2026 is P.O. Logan Weber and was nominated by CPD Lieutenant Edward Lentz. The following is the narrative explaining the reason for the nomination:

“P.O. Logan Weber consistently delivers outstanding police service and exemplifies the core principles of community policing. He is known for his unwavering commitment to the Cleveland community and for the dependable support he provides to his fellow officers.

Officer Weber never hesitates to step into difficult or dangerous assignments, demonstrating exceptional courage, professionalism, and a strong sense of duty. He approaches every situation with compassion and integrity, ensuring that no community member is left without help. His colleagues rely on him because he is always ready to assist, collaborate, and lead when needed.

In addition to his exemplary service on duty, Officer Weber has made a meaningful and lasting impact through his involvement with the Cleveland Police Foundation’s Fishing with Cops program over the past two years. During these events, he has built strong, positive relationships with Cleveland youth by mentoring them one-on-one teaching them how to rig fishing lures, bait hooks, cast lines, and catch fish, all while engaging them in genuine, encouraging conversation. After the fishing wraps up, he helps prepare and serve food so every child leaves with a full belly, a sense of belonging, and unforgettable memories.

His dedication, reliability, and service-first mindset make him an invaluable asset to the department and a trusted guardian of the community.”

I wholeheartedly concur with this write-up on Officer Weber, especially concerning the Fishing with Cops event that I have been in charge of for the past 10 years. Officer Weber and Lieutenant Lentz have become a very important part of this event and not only help the kids catch the fish but also how to clean and cook them. Thank you both for making the events a success.

It is because of his dedication to his fellow officers and the children in the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is indeed honored to name P.O. Logan Weber its Police Officer of the Month for June 2026.

-Submitted by Bob Guttu

Nominated by CPD Lieutenant Ed Lentz

Donate today and help those who serve

Your gift supports compassion in action through officer wellness, youth engagement, and community outreach across Cleveland.

Donate to the Foundation

The Cleveland Police Foundation was proud to host two outstanding community events this past month, bringing Cleveland Police Officers and local youth together through fun, memorable experiences that help strengthen trust and build lasting relationships.

Fishing with Cops – July 14

On Tuesday, July 14, the Cleveland Police Foundation hosted its annual Fishing with Cops event at Blue Heron Preserve in conjunction with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. The program brought Cleveland Police officers, the Mounted Unit, Motorcycle Unit, and Apollo the CPD therapy K-9, together with local youth for a relaxing day of fishing, conversation, and mentorship in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Throughout the day, officers and participants shared stories, learned fishing techniques, and built meaningful connections away from the everyday environment. To help encourage continued interest in the outdoors, each participating youth received a fishing rod and reel, and backpack filled with fishing gear to take home.

Events like Fishing with Cops demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to creating positive interactions between law enforcement and the young people they serve.

West Denison Baseball Day with the Lake Erie Crushers – July 19

On Sunday, July 19, the Cleveland Police Foundation partnered with the Lake Erie Crushers to host players ages 6 to 12 from the West Denison Baseball League for a special day at ForeFront Stadium. The event provided young athletes and their families with an opportunity to connect with Cleveland Police Officers while enjoying an exciting day at the ballpark.

Before the game, Cleveland Police Officers from the Mounted Unit and Motorcycle Unit spent time meeting with players and their families, answering questions, demonstrating their specialized equipment, and providing opportunities for photos and conversation.

Each participating youth received complimentary game tickets, food, and a baseball to collect autographs from the Lake Erie Crushers players following the game. The excitement continued as the players took the field to play catch before the game, formed the rally tunnel to welcome the Crushers players during team introductions, and capped off the evening by running the bases before meeting the Crushers players for an autograph session.

The Cleveland Police Foundation’s June 2026 Community Partners of the Month are Zeina Meslat and Firas Haykal of the Boaz Cafe located in Ohio City and specializing in Mediterranean food. These two individuals make it their mission to treat customers with respect and courtesy all while serving delicious food.

This respect and courtesy also extends to the law enforcement community as they have for the second year in a row supported the Officer Down Softball Tournament held on July 25, at Brookside Park in Cleveland Ohio. Their generosity and commitment will help benefit the family of fallen Lorain P.D. Officer Phillip Wagner, as did the families of CPD Officer Ritter and Euclid PD Officer Derbin benefitted last year.

I spoke with tournament director Todd Walsh who stated ” Zeina and Firas of the Boaz Cafe were honored to once again support our Officer Down Tournament and wanted to thank the Cleveland Police Foundation for recognizing their efforts.” It is because of their commitment to the community and our Heroes in Blue that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Zeina Meslat and Firas Haykal of the Boaz Cafe, our Community Partners of the Month for June 2026.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Donate today and help those who serve

Your gift supports compassion in action through officer wellness, youth engagement, and community outreach across Cleveland.

Donate to the Foundation

There are times when the core pillars of the CPD’s mission intersect and overlap. One example is Owens Park in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Read the full issue here.

There are times when the core pillars of the Cleveland Police Foundation’s mission intersect and overlap. One meaningful example is Owens Park on Cleveland’s east side in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. The project reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community engagement, partnership, and honoring those who have served.

Keith Sulzer, CPF Community Liaison Consultant and retired Cleveland Police Captain, played a key role in shaping this significant project. In his words, here is how Owens Park came to be:

“In 2016, I was a captain in Community Policing and working with St. Luke’s Foundation on community projects in the 4th District. Through St. Luke’s, I met Kim Fields, a resident of Parkview Avenue, and together we organized a community clean-up of the street.

During the clean-up, we gathered at an abandoned property near 10404 Parkview. Kim shared with me that this was the location where Officer Derek Owens was murdered in 2008. We discussed creating some kind of memorial in Derek’s honor but ultimately felt that a park where children could play and families could gather would be a more meaningful tribute.

Working through St. Luke’s Foundation and the Cleveland Police Foundation, we helped facilitate the demolition of three houses on Parkview Avenue. CPF then purchased the three properties from the Cuyahoga Land Bank and the City of Cleveland.

Through CPF, I worked with St. Luke’s Foundation, Cleveland Foundation and Western Reserve Land Conservancy to secure donations and support. The Cement Masons, Carpenters Union and Painters Union generously donated labor, while Cement Masons Local #404 also secured a donation of more than 70 yards of concrete.

The Cleveland Browns made a significant contribution for a Browns-themed children’s playset. Additional donations came from Borchert Fencing, which provided a historic wrought-iron fence, Down to Earth Landscaping, which contributed landscaping expertise and services, in addition to other civic-minded companies.  CPF additionally purchased a property across from the park to store landscaping equipment.

The ward councilperson at the time also helped rename Parkview Avenue from East 102nd Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive as ‘Officer Derek Owens Way.’

The Officer Derek Owens Memorial Park, known as Owens Park, officially opened in 2019.

Another important part of the story is that some of the funds raised were used to provide the four neighboring properties with matching grants of up to $2,000 each for home improvements, helping make the surrounding area even more attractive and welcoming.”

Today, Sulzer continues to handle much of the park’s upkeep, including mowing grass, trimming trees and bushes, and addressing ongoing maintenance needs. Throughout the year, he is occasionally joined by volunteers, including police officers and community members, but additional support is always welcome.

CPF continues to seek donations to help maintain Owens Park and ensure it remains a place where families can gather and children can play for years to come.

The Cleveland Police Foundation was honored to participate in the Employee Assistance Unit’s Family Resource Event. Members of the Cleveland Division of Police and their families were encouraged to attend to learn about valuable resources, coping strategies and support services available to them. The event was designed to strengthen the Division while promoting wellness, resilience, and overall well-being among officers and their loved ones.

-Bob Guttu, CPF

On June 9, 2026, the first of two Cops/ Kids fishing events was held at Edgewater Park. An enthusiastic group of kids and officers gathered on this very warm morning to spend the day together fishing from the Holiday Charter Boat and enjoying each other’s company. After a brief safety talk by boat captain Bill Bratton, and some quick fishing tips from CPD Lt. Ed Lentz, the array of cops and kids, boarded the vessel and headed East to hopefully catch some Walleye or any other fish they could entice to bite the worms being presented on the hooks. After a few hours of searching the area around Cleveland Browns Stadium for fish, the group returned to the marina with just a few fish, but with smiles on their faces. Everyone then enjoyed a nice shore lunch, including the fish that were caught. Once again, this year, Lt. Lentz displayed his fish cleaning expertise and cooking talents to the kids who enjoyed every minute of the presentation and the delicious taste of the Walleye. After lunch the children had the opportunity to spend time with the CPD horses and K-9s and each left for home with a new fishing rod, bookbag and other handouts provided by PAL and Crimestoppers. A big thank you goes out to all the officers that came out, Captain Bill Bratton and his crew, Rose Roy and retired officers, John Thomas, who cooked the hot dogs and Jeff Stanczyk, who did his famous magic tricks. Thank you to Lt. Lentz for taking the time to spend with the kids, showing them how to fish and clean and cook them. Also, thanks to former Third District Commander Jim Davidson now with Crimestoppers and his assistant Pat Meehan for participating, and a huge thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gallagher for coming out and being a true supporter of our CPD officers.  Hopefully we will see you all next year!

-Bob Guttu, CPF

Our Community Partners of the Month for May 2026 are Joan Carabello and Sandra Negron, who are both being recognized for their extraordinary generosity, dedication, and unwavering support of the Cleveland Division of Police District Policing Award Ceremonies. The following narration was provided by Tammy Hanna, Project Director for the City of Cleveland’s Community Relations Board:

“Since 2022, Joan and Sandra have donated their time, talents, and resources to ensure that our award ceremonies are professional, elegant, and memorable events. Beginning with the First District and Second District ceremonies and expanding to all five police districts from 2023 to the present, their contributions have elevated these important community celebrations and allowed us to properly recognize the outstanding individuals who make a positive difference throughout our city.

Joan Carrabello has generously provided extensive event decor services, including premium linen tablecloths, beautiful satin napkins, elegant centerpieces, and stunning floral arrangements. Her contributions also include the creation of a floral wall backdrop that serves as a centerpiece of each ceremony. The value of her donated decor and floral services exceeds $1,250 per event, totaling more than $6,250 annually across the five district ceremonies.

Sandra Negron has dedicated countless hours to planning, decorating, setting up, and tearing down each event. Her expertise, attention to detail, and hands-on involvement ensure that every ceremony runs smoothly and maintains the high standards our honorees deserve. The value of her donated services is approximately $900 per event, totaling more than $4,500 annually across the five district ceremonies.

Most remarkable is that neither Joan nor Sandra has accepted any compensation for their services. Their generosity reflects a genuine commitment to supporting law enforcement and strengthening relationships between the police department and the communities they serve. Their contributions have played a pivotal role in the success of our District Policing Award Ceremonies. Through their dedication, they have helped create an atmosphere of pride, appreciation, and celebration for officers, community members, and stakeholders alike. Their willingness to give so selflessly demonstrates the very spirit of community partnership and civic engagement.”  It is because of their dedication and generosity that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Joan Carabello and Sandra Negron its Community Partners of the Month for May 2026.

– Bob Guttu, CPF

Nominated by Tammy Hanna

Donate today and help those who serve

Your gift supports compassion in action through officer wellness, youth engagement, and community outreach across Cleveland.

Donate to the Foundation

The Medal of Honor is the highest commendation presented to a Cleveland Division of Police officer for acts of personal bravery performed beyond the call of duty and involving an incontestable risk of life.

The following narrative was taken from the Medal of Honor presentation for Patrol Officer Abigail Pietri provided by the City of Cleveland’s Awards Ceremony held on May 7, 2026.

On October 20, 2025, Patrol Officer Abigail Pietri was working at an elementary school when a mother called to report that her daughter had brought a gun to school. As the principal made an announcement to alert staff and initiate safety protocols, Officer Pietri heard two students scream, “Gun, gun!” Officer Pietri immediately responded, unholstered her firearm, kept it in a low-ready position, and moved to a position of cover. From there, she observed the suspect holding a firearm pointed at two other students. Officer Pietri began issuing commands, allowing one of the students to run to safety. As Officer Pietri cautiously approached, she observed that the suspect’s finger remained off the trigger, but the firearm was still pointed at the remaining student.

Officer Pietri focused her attention on the suspect and gave clear verbal commands to drop the weapon. The suspect instead placed the gun to her own head and stated, “You’re going to take me to jail.” Remaining calm and composed, Officer Pietri instructed the suspect to take a step back. The suspect complied, and Officer Pietri continued to engage her in conversation, explaining she became a police officer to help children and urged her to put the gun down. After several verbal commands, the suspect placed the gun on the ground and took six steps back, as ordered. Officer Pietri then safely secured the firearm and the suspect without further incident. Officer Pietri’s quick, courageous, and composed actions prevented a potential tragedy and ensured the safety of the students and staff.

It is because of her compassion and bravery that the Cleveland Police Foundation is indeed honored to name Patrol Officer Abigail Pietri its Police Officer of the Month for May 2026.

-Submitted by Bob Guttu

Nominated by CPD Lieutenant Ed Lentz

Donate today and help those who serve

Your gift supports compassion in action through officer wellness, youth engagement, and community outreach across Cleveland.

Donate to the Foundation

The Heroes Fund provides financial support to the families of officers killed in the line of duty and to officers facing duty-related health issues.

Read the full issue here.

Cleveland’s West Side Market has been around since 1912, making it the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland, Ohio. Over 1 million people visit the market in any given year, so security in the facility is a paramount concern. Stationed at the market and providing this security for the 70 family-owned businesses and more than 250 employees is Cleveland Police Patrol Officer John Cho. Officer Cho is a 27- year veteran of the Division of Police and is the city’s last single officer foot beat patrolman. He grew up in the West 120^th Street area of Cleveland and has been part of this neighborhood since childhood. Officer Cho not only knows the importance of shoppers feeling safe at the market but also knows the importance of Community Policing in his everyday contact with these folks. His smile and demeanor are second to none, and he loves the personal contact, not only with the Cleveland residents that shop at the market, but also the tourists from outside Northeast Ohio. Keep up the good work, Officer Cho, and thank you for your service.

It is because of his compassion and dedication to his profession that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Patrol Officer John Cho it’s Police Officer of the Month for April 2026.

-Submitted by Bob Guttu

Donate today and help those who serve

Your gift supports compassion in action through officer wellness, youth engagement, and community outreach across Cleveland.

Donate to the Foundation