Three police officers hired; department still one short

by Laura Bednar

The Independence Police Department hired three new police officers and Sgt. Brad Borowy retired to start 2023.

Preceding the regular city council meeting in January, Mayor Greg Kurtz swore in the three new officers: Michael Bruvarny, Corey Cutler and Thomas “T.J.” Ungvarsky.

According to the mayor, Bruvarny served with the Akron Police Department for more than eight years as a K9 handler, SWAT negotiator and Crisis Intervention Team training officer. He attended Strongsville High School, Kent State University and served as a military policeman in the Army National Guard.

Cutler was a Valley View police officer for five years, functioning as department armorer, field training officer and firearms instructor. He attended North Royalton High School and Cuyahoga Community College.

Ungvarsky spent five years with the Cleveland police force as a field training officer. He attended Garfield Heights High School and the University of Akron.

This brings the total number of police to 36, including Chief Robert Butler. “We plan on giving a new-hire police test in February to get us up to 37 and have an active list to cover some retirements that are occurring in the fall of 2023,” Butler said.

Borowy retired after 37 years of service in the Air Force and with the Independence police department. According to the mayor, he served as a sergeant, detective sergeant and was a school resource officer for Independence primary and middle schools for 13 years. For the past three years, he served as the Independence High School SRO.

On Jan. 13, Borowy was honored at Independence Middle School for his dedication to the SRO position. Students lined the halls to give Borowy a parting high-five and staff members presented him with flowers and a card.

During a January board of education meeting, Sandra McCullough, director of pupil services, said a former Independence student who struggled in school returned to speak with Borowy after the January ceremony. The student was in tears remembering how Borowy supported him.

“It was really touching and nice to see a success story,” McCullough said. “It was a good ending for Brad.” ∞