CLEVELAND — Cleveland police are mourning the loss of one of their officers, Patrol Officer Erwin Eberhardt, who died Thursday.
Police said Eberhardt passed away suddenly at the age of 53. Eberhardt was off-duty, but police said the cause of death has not been determined.
Eberhardt served the Cleveland Division of Police for the past 30 years, beginning his career in 1990.
Throughout his career, Eberhardt served in numerous assignments, including the First District, the Fourth District, the Airport Unit and the Police Academy.
Eberhardt trained hundreds of recruits to become Cleveland police officers and also instructed within the Cuyahoga Community College Police Academy.
The officer was a veteran of the United States Army, which helped prepare him to be one of the longest-serving members of the Cleveland Division of Police Honor Guard.
Eberhardt leaves behind four children and three grandchildren.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has ordered the lowering of the American Flag at all police stations in the city from sunset Friday until the day after Eberhardt’s funeral services.
