Ernest Cecil Holbert, a 59-year-old Cleveland Division of Police officer, was wounded on January 2, 1972, while responding to a routine traffic accident at Buckeye Road and East Boulevard. He and his partner were attempting to arrest an intoxicated driver seated in the patrol car when the suspect produced a handgun and opened fire. Officer Holbert was struck in the head by a bullet; he underwent four surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his brain but never fully recovered.

Over the next years Holbert’s health declined from complications of those injuries, and he died on October 27, 1987, nearly 15 years after the shooting. The suspect who shot him was killed by return fire from Holbert’s partner during the altercation. No further arrests or litigation were reported; the incident was categorized as an accident investigation involving an impaired driver. Holbert was survived by his wife and eight children.

Does anyone have memories of Officer Holbert or the 1972 incident to share, or information that could add context to his service and the aftermath?