Parole denied in 1970 murder

Traffic stop led to fatal shooting of Cleveland officer from Mentor

It was 49 years ago this month that what began as a routine traffic stop ended in the death of Cleveland police officer and Mentor resident Joseph Tracz Jr.

Eddie Hampton, the man believed to have fired the bullet that killed the 27-year-old officer, will spend at least another 10 years behind bars.

The Ohio Parole Board denied Hampton’s parole. Hampton, 70, is next eligible for parole in 2029, the maximum possible length allowed by law.

Tracz, a Vietnam War veteran, had been with the Cleveland Police Department for less than a year on Sept. 28, 1970, when he and partner Fred Fulton pulled

over a Buick for traffic infractions, including ignoring a red light and a hanging license plate.

Tracz interviewed the Buick’s passenger, who was later identified as Hampton, while Fulton spoke with the driver, later identified as Leonard Miller. When Fulton searched the driver, Miller reached for a handgun in his waistband.

This began a fight that left Fulton shot in the groin, chest and face by Miller and Hampton.

Fulton, also of Mentor, previously told The NewsHerald he blacked out during part of the struggle but said he saw his partner lying facedown on the sidewalk with bullet wounds. Then, he saw Hampton point a gun to Tracz’s back

(Cleveland Police Officer Fred) Fulton previously told The NewsHerald he has a hard time holding it together when he has to relive the whole incident, but he is thankful “the man upstairs left me on this earth,” and wants to ensure that the man who took Tracz’s life remains behind bars.

and fire the fatal bullet.

Hampton and Miller remained at large for almost two years after Tracz’s death. Miller was arrested at a bank he was robbing near the scene of the shooting. Hampton was found in his sister’s home.

A year after finally being captured, both men were sentenced to life in prison.

Miller died in prison in 2013. Hampton was up for parole this year after last being denied in 2009.

Fulton said that he was happy with the Ohio Parole Board’s decision and said Tracz’s widow Linda Tracz, was elated at the news.

She was pregnant with her first child when her husband was murdered. Fulton said their son grew up to be a spitting image of his father.

Fulton said that he was also heartened by the support received in an online petition, noting that someone as far away as Alaska signed it.

Fulton previously told The News-Herald he has a hard time holding it together when he has to relive the whole incident, but he is thankful “the man upstairs left me on this earth,” and wants to ensure that the man who took Tracz’s life remains behind bars.

“(Hampton) doesn’t deserve to get out in this life,” Fulton said.

Hampton

Tracz