Brecksville mourns former Police Chief Michael Carlin

by Melissa Martin

Michael Carlin, the city’s seventh police chief, passed away on Aug. 29 following 37 years of service and dedication to the safety and well-being of the Brecksville community.

Before joining the city’s police department, Carlin was a decorated Marine who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He still holds the distinction of being the only Brecksville police officer in history to serve in every rank in the police department: patrol officer, starting in 1977; sergeant, starting in 1981; lieutenant, starting in 1990; captain, starting in 1997; and chief, starting in 2013.

Police Chief Stan Korinek said Carlin excelled in all aspects of law enforcement. During his career, he served as a member of the city’s SWAT team and was an early advocate for, and later led, the department’s team of K-9 officers.

“He was a born leader who impacted many of the men still in our department,” Korinek said.

While Carlin made many notable arrests throughout his career, the event that forever changed his life occurred on April 29, 1983.

On that day, Carlin, who was a sergeant in the department at the time, stopped and approached a vehicle at the intersection of Brecksville and Royalton roads for what he thought was a routine license plate violation. The driver of the vehicle, however, had killed his girlfriend in Akron earlier in the day and was on the run.

As Carlin approached the vehicle, the driver exited it and opened fire with a .32 automatic handgun. Carlin was shot five times. The driver got back in his car and fled north on Brecksville Road.

Despite suffering severe injuries, Carlin pulled himself into his cruiser and began pursuit. He chased the driver to the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, where the suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.

Carlin attempted to chase the suspect but collapsed almost immediately as a result of losing too much blood. Carlin was transported to the hospital. He underwent several surgeries and endured a lengthy recovery, after which he returned to work to finish out his career.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Chief Carlin’s wife of 43 years, Noraly; his family, friends, former colleagues and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him,” said Mayor Daryl Kingston. “His dedication, courage and commitment to the city of Brecksville will not be forgotten.”

In honor of Carlin’s career and his many years of dedicated service to the safety of Brecksville, flags at city facilities were lowered to half-staff through Sept. 5. His obituary and funeral arrangements are available at the Nosek-McCreery website, nosek-mccreery.com.

Photo caption: In honor of Michael Carlin’s years of dedicated service to the city and its residents, flags were lowered to half-staff throughout the city through Sept. 5. Photo submitted.