The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Village pays tribute to officer
Council retires badge of Charles Simmons; approves drafting of resolution of appreciation for his service
North Perry Village is paying tribute to one of its police officers who recently died.
Village Council has permanently retired the badge of Officer Charles Simmons, who died of natural causes March 21 at age 67.
Simmons’ obituary stated that he also previously worked for the Cleveland Police Department. A Chester Township resident, he was sworn in as a North Perry Village Police Department officer on May 17, 2011.
“Charlie served our agency with pride and dignity,” Police Chief Ron Radovanic said. “Charles loved being a police officer
and loved North Perry Village so much that he was buried in his North Perry police uniform.”
Radovanic’s salute to Simmons came from a letter that village Mayor Ed Klco read during the April 2 Village Council meeting. Village government leaders met remotely through a video and audio conference because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Klco read the letter because
Radovanic was unable to participate.
In the letter, the police chief went on to say that Simmons was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Along with his work in law enforcement, Simmons achieved success as a businessman, owning and operating Veteran Development and Construction in Mentor.
Because of restrictions stemming from COVID-19, only 10 family members were able to attend Simmons’ funeral, Radovanic said. Brickman Bros. Funeral Home of Willoughby
was in charge of arrangements.
“However, there will be a celebration of Charlie’s life sometime after the present situation of our country is cleared,” Radovanic said.
Along with retiring Simmons’ badge, Village Council also authorized the drafting of a resolution expressing North Perry’s appreciation for the officer’s service. Council will approve that resolution at a future meeting, and Radovanic said the document then will be presented to Simmons’ wife, Valerie, at a later date.