A Brutal Murder

On Monday November 10, 1975 Detective Sergeant William Prochazka and his partner, Detective James Toth, were cruising near the Southgate Shopping Center. Officer Prochazka advised his partner he needed to drop by Blonder's Paint Store to show employees mug shots of known robbers. About five weeks earlier several men tried to rob the store and Officer Prochazka hoped employees could make a photo identification.

The officers were unaware three men armed with three pistols and a shotgun entered Blonder's moments earlier. They had ordered the six employees and five customers into a rear washroom hidden from view by a folding leather door.

Officer Prochazka entered the store. Seeing no one he walked to the rear and opened the leather door. At this time one of the robbers, Michael Manns, shot Officer Prochazka in the neck without warning. All three men then ran out the rear door and entered an awaiting get away car that was being operated by a fourth member of this group. Officer Toth heard the shot and ran in to find Officer Prochazka on the floor in a pool of blood, unconscious. He was transported to an area hospital where he was officially pronounced dead.

Dr. Samuel Gerber advised that Sergeant Prochazka died from the gunshot wound. The gunshot struck Officer Prochazka's carotid artery and severed his spinal cord, which caused paralysis. He fell face first onto the floor, which shattered his eyeglasses and broke his wristwatch. Officer Prochazka died almost instantly. His watch still bears the time and date of his death.

Suspects Arrested

Suspect descriptions were obtained from witnesses as well as a vehicle description and license plate number. All southeastern suburbs and the Cleveland Police Department launched a massive manhunt for the gunmen. A short time later, Cleveland Police arrested three of the suspects in a car at E. 131st and Southview Avenue. However, the alleged gunman, Michael Manns, was not found inside the vehicle. Manns was arrested several months later while committing another crime in Detroit, Michigan.

A Great Policeman

Sergeant Prochazka was in charge of the juvenile unit and gave help to troubled youngsters. His neighbors stated he was always ready to lend a helpful hand. Mayor Lucill Reed said, "He was always with kids. He counseled kids in trouble confidentially and they respected him." Police Chief Meuti praised the officer as a good policeman.

Sergeant Prochazka was laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Loretta and four young children.

William Prochazka's name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, Washington, D.C. panel 15, west wall, line 1.

The Aftermath

All four suspects (Michael Manns, Dwain Farrow, George Clayton and Duran Harris) received the death penalty for this hideous crime. However, due to the uncertainty of constitutional rights of the death penalty, all four of their sentences were overturned and they were given life in prison. Manns, Farrow and Clayton remain in prison. Harris was released from prison in 2003. The family of William Prochazka was not informed of this parole hearing and thus was unable to oppose the parole. Farrow and Clayton were denied parole in 2010. Manns faces his next parole hearing in July 2011.

A Son's Plea: No Parole

My name is Robert Prochazka and I am a Detective for the Willowick Police Department. My father was Detective Sergeant William Prochazka with the Bedford Heights Ohio Police Department.

My mother and I will be meeting with The Ohio Parole Board this June to oppose the July 2011 parole of Michael Manns. Sadly, my father's twin brother, who was also a police officer at the time of my father's death, will not be able to fight for his brother as he had done in the past. He passed away from a stroke during knee replacement surgery two years ago.

These hearings are extremely difficult for our family and especially my mother who is now 74 years old. I think it's totally ridiculous that we have to plead our case to keep these inmates in prison again and again. These four individuals are cop killers and were already given a huge break when their sentences were commuted to life in prison. Now they want to re-join society and enjoy the freedoms of law abiding citizens. Please help us keep Michael Manns in prison so he can't destroy another family's life.