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By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 02:06 p.m. EDT, May 13, 2009
Badge No. 45 is home, more than 90 years after it last graced the chest of slain Akron police officer George Werne.
The silver badge's circuitous journey ended today in the palm of the officer's grandchildren, Rita Sabo and Bob Kline.
The Firestone Park residents were presented the badge during the annual Akron police memorial ceremony honoring Werne and 20 other Akron police officers killed in the line of duty.
''I was shocked, I mean where's this badge been all these years?'' said Sabo, 64. ''We weren't expecting this. I'm really flabbergasted and I'm so thankful it is finally back home.''
Police Sgt. Tom Dye, the department's historian and a police memorabilia collector, said he has had the badge for several years after buying it from a local dealer.
He knew the No. 45 belonged to a fallen officer, but he didn't believe it was the actual badge belonging to Werne.
Dye thought Werne wore an older style badge bearing just a number, and not the eagle-adorned badge he uncovered.
This week, not wanting to raise the hopes of the officer's family, Dye simply asked Sabo if she had any photos of her grandfather in uniform. She did.
Dye opened an e-mailed photo from Sabo at 5 a.m. today and made the match. The image showed Werne wearing the exact badge, eagle and all.
Akron police surprised Sabo and her brother, presenting the badge this morning during the annual police memorial ceremony.
More than 200 people were in attendance — including police Chief Craig Gilbride and Mayor Don Plusquellic — paying homage to the fallen officers in Akron history.
''It took almost 90 years for the badge to make it to the rightful owner and I'm happy to have been a part of it,'' Dye said.
Werne, a father of three children under the age of 8, was shot and killed the morning of March 9, 1919, after stopping three suspects near the Hickory Street railroad crossing. He was 32 years old.
The officer's wife, Anna Werne, never remarried, raising her children, including Sabo's mother, as a single mother in South Akron.
Dye said he could not determine where the badge had been through the years, or how it came to be owned by the anonymous local collector who sold it to him.
The badge's journey may be a case study taken on by Sabo, a genealogy buff.
''To own something of my grandfather's . . . it's just a great thing to keep,'' she said.
Bob Kline, 69, said his mother, Pearl, gave him his grandfather's revolvers and holster with the promise to never fire the weapons.
He said his grandfather's possessions should be joined in display and someday belong in a museum.
''They should be seen,'' he said.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
Badge No. 45 is home, more than 90 years after it last graced the chest of slain Akron police officer George Werne.
The silver badge's circuitous journey ended today in the palm of the officer's grandchildren, Rita Sabo and Bob Kline.
The Firestone Park residents were presented the badge during the annual Akron police memorial ceremony honoring Werne and 20 other Akron police officers killed in the line of duty.
''I was shocked, I mean where's this badge been all these years?'' said Sabo, 64. ''We weren't expecting this. I'm really flabbergasted and I'm so thankful it is finally back home.''
Police Sgt. Tom Dye, the department's historian and a police memorabilia collector, said he has had the badge for several years after buying it from a local dealer.
He knew the No. 45 belonged to a fallen officer, but he didn't believe it was the actual badge belonging to Werne.
Dye thought Werne wore an older style badge bearing just a number, and not the eagle-adorned badge he uncovered.
This week, not wanting to raise the hopes of the officer's family, Dye simply asked Sabo if she had any photos of her grandfather in uniform. She did.
Dye opened an e-mailed photo from Sabo at 5 a.m. today and made the match. The image showed Werne wearing the exact badge, eagle and all.
Akron police surprised Sabo and her brother, presenting the badge this morning during the annual police memorial ceremony.
More than 200 people were in attendance — including police Chief Craig Gilbride and Mayor Don Plusquellic — paying homage to the fallen officers in Akron history.
''It took almost 90 years for the badge to make it to the rightful owner and I'm happy to have been a part of it,'' Dye said.
Werne, a father of three children under the age of 8, was shot and killed the morning of March 9, 1919, after stopping three suspects near the Hickory Street railroad crossing. He was 32 years old.
The officer's wife, Anna Werne, never remarried, raising her children, including Sabo's mother, as a single mother in South Akron.
Dye said he could not determine where the badge had been through the years, or how it came to be owned by the anonymous local collector who sold it to him.
The badge's journey may be a case study taken on by Sabo, a genealogy buff.
''To own something of my grandfather's . . . it's just a great thing to keep,'' she said.
Bob Kline, 69, said his mother, Pearl, gave him his grandfather's revolvers and holster with the promise to never fire the weapons.
He said his grandfather's possessions should be joined in display and someday belong in a museum.
''They should be seen,'' he said.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Uniontown, OH
Posted 02:53 PM, 05/13/2009
Not to sound like a jerk but I find this a little odd that the mayor was involved in the ceremony. I wonder if it has anything to do with the upcoming recall election.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:41 PM, 05/13/2009
The mayor has always participated in the police and fire memorials that are held annually. Why would you find it odd for him to attend. I personally would find it odd for him not to attend.
akron, oh
Posted 03:49 PM, 05/13/2009
Trexler did a PRO-police story???? Really???
Akron, OH
Posted 04:03 PM, 05/13/2009
I find it odd too given his disdain for the police departments. Oh...and it goes both ways.
Uniontown, OH
Posted 04:30 PM, 05/13/2009
heck isn't it odd for him to be in town.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:49 PM, 05/13/2009
Thank you to all the officers who risk your lives every day to serve this community. We know you aren't sometimes appreciated by many of the people, politians and media you serve, yet you continue to risk your lives. We citizens out here in Akron DO appreciate you though, just as we thank these officers who died in the line of duty. We honor them for their ultimate sacrifice. THANK YOU!
Hudson, OH
Posted 05:25 PM, 05/13/2009
Why do people have to make political comments, to a non-political story, just because the mayor was there?
Get lives.
akron, oh
Posted 05:27 PM, 05/13/2009
I'm not sure why a lot of residents get upset that the Beacon Journal might publish an article that portrays a police officer in a negative light. It seems to me that pointing out flaws or possible misdeeds in the police department is an important function of a local newspaper. It helps keep everyone honest. Remember, even though we should respect the difficult job that officers have, no one wants to end up with a police state.
Posted 05:41 PM, 05/13/2009
Thank you Sgt. Dye for giving the badge to the family. Now I hope that they might make it a part of the Police Museum that is in the lower level of the safety building. All the future Officers should know their family's story.
God Bless all of them.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:05 PM, 05/13/2009
I admire the mayor for attending the ceremony.
Posted 07:17 PM, 05/13/2009
mayor needs to look like he suppots the police and fire depts. so he showed. 2 days from now he will be bad mouthing them again
somewhere near you, CA
Posted 07:21 PM, 05/13/2009
And some people think the Leakin doesn't write nice things about the po po's. LOL!
Pretty ironic to see the usual fools that complain when stories about bad cops are published still find something to complain about when a story about one that wasn't caught breaking the law gets published.
akron, oh
Posted 07:29 PM, 05/13/2009
The Mayor does NOT always show up. He does always show up for the Fire Memorial. He usually sends a Deputy Mayor in his place to the Police Memorial with the excuse of brokering a huge deal for Akron that will better us all and only his expertise will do.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:39 PM, 05/13/2009
This just in. Authorities have just found articles belonging to the others killed in this story. They have found long lost signs reading, "It just don't add up."
akron, oh
Posted 10:21 PM, 05/13/2009
Thank you to the APD for the job you do.. we do truly appreciate the work you do for us on a daily basis.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:34 PM, 05/13/2009
Tears in my eyes for the fallen. Pride in my heart for my officer son. Also, as the widow of an officer I can tell you it is such an honor to be in the presence of these exceptional men and women of our police force. I thank and pray for them every day of my life.
Tepplin, DC
Posted 01:17 AM, 05/14/2009
Common Sense --
Must every single thread become a referendum on the mayor? This family just got a piece of their history back. Isn't that the real point of this article?
Grow up, dude.
Akron, Oh
Posted 05:00 AM, 05/14/2009
Thank god for the Akron Police I no way could do what they do. they risk their lives to make Akron a safer place to live.
Posted 07:17 AM, 05/14/2009
Thank you Officer Dye for finding and returning the badge to the family and I hope to hear the rest of the story when you find it out.
Thank you to all officers in all departments for keeping us safe daily and their families. God bless all of you and bring you home safely to your family.
Akron, oh
Posted 07:22 AM, 05/14/2009
Well Marco, Mayor. Just for your information. The police officers today will die to save both your mangey hides. Even if you both are anti police
Uniontown, OH
Posted 08:17 AM, 05/14/2009
Ignorance Kills you obviously don't understand politics. The mayor and the beacon are in bed together. I just thought it was odd that all of the sudden they decide to do this. Iam willing to bet that more stories like this will be on the way.
akron, oh
Posted 08:48 AM, 05/14/2009
ELLETAIN ....The Mayor only shows up 50% of the time for the memorial
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:49 AM, 05/14/2009
This is a wonderful story -- Sgt. Dye deserves a special commendation for recovering Officer Werne's badge and returning it to his family. God bless Officer George Werne -- if there is already not, there should be a special place in Heaven for police officers, firefighters, and soldiers/sailors who gave their lives for their countries and communities.
As far as all of the anti-Mayor commentators, shame on you! This article has NOTHING to do with the Mayor, Marco, Warner, or the recall -- it just mentions the Mayor was in attendance -- nothing more. Take your ignorant comments to another article.
Canton, OH
Posted 09:48 AM, 05/14/2009
YAWN. . .
Posted 09:57 AM, 05/14/2009
Douglas, thats funny. Inappropriate but funny.
Posted 01:38 PM, 05/14/2009
Wooohooo! The comment section once again proves that a select group of people seem to think that every story is about a recall or the misdeeds of Don P. Way to go everyone! Nice job discounting the human interest concepts of this story dealing with a fallen officer to further political agendas. Either reading comprehension is lacking around these parts or the comment trolls around here lack the dignity and respect to honor those who gave their lives defending the public. I'll venture to guess it's a combination of both.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:39 PM, 05/14/2009
@dradgonlady...rite on! I could not have said it better!
