2017 Awards

Each year, the Cleveland Police Foundation recognizes an individual who through their business acumen, philanthropy and commitment to giving back to the community makes a significant impact in our region. We are honored to recognize Mr. James F. Doyle as our 2017 Man of the Year.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Jim has been active in commercial real estate for over 40 years. Starting in the commercial mortgage banking business, Jim cofounded Capstone Realty Advisors. Under his leadership, the company grew to 8 offices in 5 states with over $ 2 billion per year in loan production and a servicing portfolio of over $10 billion.

In 2008, Jim joined forces with Fred & Greg Geis to form Hemingway Development. This trio made a commitment to help re-build Cleveland, the city where all three grew up; and build and redevelop they did. As of this date, they are responsible for over $200 million of development in 19 complexes totaling 2,500,000 square feet.  A sample of their work includes projects such as: The 9 Apartments & Hotel, the Cuyahoga County Administration Building, Heinen’s downtown grocery store, 1010 Euclid Apartments, and the MidTown Tech Research Park. Additionally, several major developments are in progress or planned.

Jim’s peers recently recognized his significant accomplishments in the business world when he received the “Life Time Achievement Award” from the National Association of Office and Industrial Parks.

He and his wife Patti have raised 4 children, 3 of which reside in Cleveland and are with us tonight. Jim and Patti have been further blessed with 11 grandchildren.

His activities are not limited to just his career.  Over the years Jim has supported the schools that were educating their children, including serving on the boards of Beaumont School, Gilmour Academy, along with being past president of the Father’s Club at St. Ignatius High School. He also chaired the Planned Offering Program at his church and is a member of the 1831 society at his alma mater Xavier University.

In December 2016, Jim decided that he and his family would like to do something to help people, which might benefit from an unexpected gift from a stranger during the holiday season.  He contacted Chief Calvin Williams to offer an idea of a “Secret Santa” event with two goals. First, the police would help identify people in need throughout the City and have the officers spread a bit of holiday of cheer by giving them a $100 gift card. Second, through this giving, help foster a stronger relationship between police and the citizens.

One can only imagine the reaction of those receiving the gifts from the officers. The smiles and hugs were abundant.  This most generous act by the Doyle’s had other rewards as well, including their own amazement by witnessing some of the reactions to the many random acts of kindness they made possible; and the officers themselves, stating what a great time they had, including one veteran officer stating it was the best thing that’s happened in his entire career.

In recognition of his generosity and giving back to the community, support for the members of the Cleveland Division of Police above and beyond the call of duty, we are honored to bestow upon Mr. James F. Doyle the 2017 Edward A. Lozick Memorial Man of the Year Award.

Nationally, law enforcement officers regularly give back to the community, and the vast majority of the time their acts of kindness and goodwill go unrecognized. And that’s how they prefer it … no fanfare or recognition.

This year’s CPF Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Mitchell Sheehan certainly fits that mold. In February 2016, he was recognized as the CPF Police Officer of the Month for organizing a clothing drive for a men’s homeless shelter in the 2^nd District. Wanting no recognition, Sheehan stated at the time that all the credit belonged to the officers of the 2^nd District and their families and friends who pitched in to help. Though it’s true the success of that campaign was due to the support of his fellow officers and the community, by taking the lead in initiating and organizing the effort, he made it possible to help many people in need.

The clothing drive has become an annual event that has grown in size and impact, involving officers citywide and beyond and through social media, people from as far away as Florida have sent items each winter. Over the last three winters, the campaigns led by Sgt. Sheehan have distributed over 5,000 new pairs of socks, over 1,000 sets of underwear, and countless sets of gloves, scarves, hats, jackets, and blankets to the homeless population, shelters and families in need.

Born and raised on Cleveland’s west side, and a 1998 graduate of Holy Name High School, Mitch was appointed Patrol Officer for the City of Cleveland in 2006. After completing the academy, he was assigned to the 6^th District where he worked in Basic Patrol and the Community Services Unit. In 2013, he was promoted to sergeant and transferred to the 2^nd District, with assignments in Basic Patrol, Community Services Unit, and currently heads the 2^nd District Vice Unit.

In recognition of his on-going commitment to the philosophy of community policing, and efforts above and beyond the call of duty in helping fellow citizens in need, we are honored to name Sergeant Mitchell Sheehan as the recipient of the 2017 CPF Samuel H. Miller Police Officer of the Year Award.

In the summer of 1982, the youngest son of Patrol Officer John Thomas was confined in the Cleveland Clinic. During that time, PO Thomas met families from all over the USA and the world. Although his family was also facing a serious medical emergency, he imagined how much more stressful it must be for the families of seriously ill children to have to leave their homes and travel to Cleveland to obtain the best possible care at the Cleveland Clinic or University Hospital’s Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Many were staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Thomas decided to do something to help reduce some of the stress for the families and let them know that they were part of a bigger family.

While off duty on November 10, 1982 several officers from the 2nd District who served in U.S. Marine Corps were saluting its birthday. During the celebration, Thomas spoke about his experience at the Cleveland Clinic. It was decided that the group would hold a Christmas party for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House and visit the children in the pediatric units at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital.

That decision led to a great district-wide team building effort. POs Rich Auner and Jeff Stanczyk helped with organizing things; every officer in the district donated $20 to the cause, gifts were purchased and officers and family members helped wrap them.

The inaugural “Christmas Party” in December 1982 was a grand affair. Police officers in uniform and others dressed as elves, along with a church choir singing Christmas carols joined John Thomas dressed as Santa Claus in delivering gifts, food and treats donated by area businesses, and good cheer to families staying at Ronald McDonald House and the children confined in the hospitals.

In 1983 the group repeated the events. Dale Solly, a TV8 news reporter did a story on the effort that year titled “Cops, Kids, & Christmas,” and the name stuck. Due to its success, in 1984 it was decided that the Division of Police would adopt the idea and conduct it annually city-wide, visiting every hospital in the city as well as day care centers, domestic violence shelters, and families-in-need, with the original cast from the 2nd District visiting Ronald McDonald House.

The “troupe,” led by John Thomas, Rich Auner & Jeff Stanczyk and cast of supporting officers and family members continued their annual visits to Ronald McDonald House and has done so for the past 34 years. Even after retirement the trio continues to lead younger officers in carrying-on the tradition, and is planning a return engagement this December.

In recognition of their on-going commitment to the community and efforts above and beyond the call of duty, we are honored to bestow upon the Cops, Kids, & Christmas “Family” the 2017 Thomas D. Ganley Memorial Community Service Award.

In 2012 during its inaugural year of operation, the CPF Board of Directors established its annual Founders Award to recognize exemplary leadership, performance, and dedication to furthering the organization’s ideals and mission to support the members of the Cleveland Division of Police, its charitable endeavors and forge stronger bonds with the community.

This year, we are honored to name Charles W. Lane, Jr. as the 2017 recipient of the award in recognition of leadership in taking a new organization to what it is today.

In 2011, then-Chief Mike McGrath asked “Chas,” as he is know by many, and who recently retired from the Division, to lend his talents in helping to establish the CPF as the official charity for the Division. The Board of Directors offered Chas a part-time position as Executive Director and he soon was working full-time hours to get the fledgling organization up and running.

With the support of many amazing people and organizations, the CPF’s rapid progress and accomplishments has been remarkable. In 2016, Chief Calvin Williams said, “In its relatively short history, the CPF has made extraordinary progress strengthening the bonds that tie the community and the Cleveland Division of Police together.”

One of the original board members, VP Jim Craciun said, “Chas Lane, a decorated retired Cleveland Police Sergeant has dedicated the last 7 years of his life for our Cleveland Police Foundation! A brilliant writer, dedicated steward, and peacemaker, he has worked for the valiant cause of our men and women in blue above and beyond the call of duty!”

Chas was raised on the east side of Cleveland, graduated from Lakeland Community College with a degree in law enforcement, attended Cleveland State University and earned a B.S. in Law Enforcement Administration from Youngstown State University.

Current board President Grant Dinner stated, “It has been a pleasure to work with Chas in his endless support of the Cleveland Police Foundation. His dedication and devotion to the organization for the past seven years has helped us fulfill our mission goal. We are honored to bestow upon Chas. W. Lane, Jr. the 2017 CPF Founder’s Award.”