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New Hero Search Dennis N. Glivar
- Aug. 14, 1994 -
(24801)

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Garfield Heights Police Dept. OH Patch
Resided: Garfield Heights (Cuyahoga County)
OH, USA
Born: Feb. 20, 1954  
Fallen: Aug. 14, 1994
Race/Sex: Caucasian Male / 40 yrs. of age
Agency
Dept: Garfield Heights Police Dept.
5555 Turney Road  
Cleveland, OH   44125   USA
(216)475-6607
County: Cuyahoga
Dept. Type: Municipal/Police
Hero's Rank: Sergeant
Sworn Date: 9/1972
FBI Class: Homicide - Ambush
Weapon Class: Handgun
Agency URL: Click Here
Memorial Panel: 28, E -19
On The Job: 17 years
Bio: Dennis N. Glivar was a life-long member of the community, graduating from Garfield Heights High School in 1972. He attended Cuyahoga Community College and John Carroll University. He also served in the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserves.

Sergeant Glivar married his wife Debbie in 1983. They had celebrated their 11th anniversary the day before Sergeant Glivar was killed. Glivar always went home for lunch; he was devoted to his wife and family.

Sergeant Glivar loved playing the drums and once played in a band with his late father. He was an avid scuba diver, an amateur meteorologist and had earned a black belt in karate.

He was a strong and silent type; who never boasted about his mastery of the martial arts or the Gold Medal he received for weightlifting in a police tournament.

On October 19, 1994, Sgt. Glivar was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor in a ceremony that honored him and his fellow officers for their courage and commitment to duty. On November 17, 1994, these awards and a plaque were presented to his wife.

Survived by:
Debbie - Wife
Fatal Incident Summary
Offender: Harry Mitts Jr. :: Caucasian / Male - 42 years old
Likely the last person to be executed in Ohio using pentobarbital, as the company has stopped making it for this purpose and this was the last dose in supply. It is not readily known what method the state will use in its place.

   Pic 1    
Location:   Garfield Heights,   Cuyahoga County, OH   USA   Sun. Aug. 14, 1994
Summary: Sgt. Glivar and his partner, Lt. Kaiser, responded to a call that a man fired a weapon in the parking lot of an apartment complex. En-route, the dispatcher advised that a male had been shot and that Ptl. Cermak was under fire.

Upon arrival, Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser were advised the suspect fled to the rear of the apartment building. Bystanders stated the suspect also shot a man who was in a second floor apartment. Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser cautiously entered the apartment building and found the gunshot victim. They retreated in order to safely escort medical personnel to the victim.

Unfortunately, Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser were unaware the suspect resided in the apartment at the bottom of the stairs. When Sgt. Glivar and Lt. Kaiser reached the first floor landing, the suspect, Harry Mitts, flung open his apartment door and fired at the officers. The suspect fired two weapons, a 44 magnum revolver and a 9 mm pistol. Sgt. Glivar was shot seven times in the torso; he stumbled down the hall where he collapsed and died.

Lt. Kaiser was shot in the chest and right hand and managed to return fire and shoot Harry Mitts in the hip and the foot. Despite his wounds, the suspect held police at bay for the next five hours but was finally taken into custody by the S.W.A.T. team.

Disposition: On August 14, 1995, Harry Mitts received the death penalty and was sentenced to death.

======== UPDATE =====================

On Sept 25, 2013, Harry Mitts was administered pentobarbital and pronounced dead at 10:39 a.m. at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, 19 years after the crime.

Source: Website      Click
Source: Website      Click
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